网友热议：为什么中国皇帝有上千个妃子，而西方国王却只有一个妻子？
正文翻译
网友热议：为什么中国皇帝有上千个妃子，而西方国王却只有一个妻子？
评论翻译
Polygamy was common practice in feudal China, although only upper- and wealthy middle-class men could afford to take several wives. It was seen as an affirmation of male potency, and the presence of many women was taken to indicate a man’s virility.
在封建中国，一夫多妻制是普遍存在并允许的，尽管只有上层和富裕阶层男性才能承担得起娶几个妻子。这被视作是对男性力量的肯定，拥有多位女性被视为男人阳刚之气和有能力的象征。
‘The four principles of polygamy in feudal China were:
封建中国一夫多妻制的四个原则是：
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
Cixi, the controversial concubine who became queen, led China into the modern age. After Cixi seized power, the brilliant queen regent of China never let it go and guided her people into the 20th century.
慈禧，这位成为皇后的备受争议的妾，领导中国进入了现代时代。在慈禧夺取了权力之后，这位杰出的中国女皇摄政者从未放手，并引导着她的人民走向20世纪。
Mert Toker
I am no expert in Chinese history. However most eastern cultures had tradition of concubines for similar reasons. In dynasties and kingdoms, legitimization of emperor’s children is crucial. It is better to be sure of the identity of children’s fathers because any child might become Emperor when the day comes. In case of state affairs, there was an obligation to be sure of it. Any dynasty would like to see new comers are parts of same family for keeping order in society and state.
我并不是中国历史的专家。然而，大多数东方文化都有类似的妻妾制度，原因也相似。在朝代和王国中，皇帝嫡传的子女至关重要。最好能确定孩子的父亲身份，因为任何孩子都有可能在某一天成为皇帝。在同时处理国家事务的情况下，皇帝有义务确保这一点。任何朝代都希望新来的成员是同一个家庭的一部分，以保持社会和国家的秩序。
I am no expert in Chinese history. However most eastern cultures had tradition of concubines for similar reasons. In dynasties and kingdoms, legitimization of emperor’s children is crucial. It is better to be sure of the identity of children’s fathers because any child might become Emperor when the day comes. In case of state affairs, there was an obligation to be sure of it. Any dynasty would like to see new comers are parts of same family for keeping order in society and state.
我并不是中国历史的专家。然而，大多数东方文化都有类似的妻妾制度，原因也相似。在朝代和王国中，皇帝嫡传的子女至关重要。最好能确定孩子的父亲身份，因为任何孩子都有可能在某一天成为皇帝。在同时处理国家事务的情况下，皇帝有义务确保这一点。任何朝代都希望新来的成员是同一个家庭的一部分，以保持社会和国家的秩序。
In history, many unknown personalities claimed that they are sons of rulers and had rights for throne. These type of claims led to many civil wars. There was need to keep records. In Chinese system there was a major wife (queen) similar to Western ones. Western kings also had many mistresses , the difference is , they did not call them ‘’ concubines.’’
在历史上，许多不明身份的人声称自己是统治者的儿子，有权继承王位。这类情况导致了许多内战。所以有必要保留记录。在中国的体制中，有一个类似西方的主要妻子（皇后）。西方国王也有很多情妇，不同之处在于，他们没有称呼她们为“妾”。
在历史上，许多不明身份的人声称自己是统治者的儿子，有权继承王位。这类情况导致了许多内战。所以有必要保留记录。在中国的体制中，有一个类似西方的主要妻子（皇后）。西方国王也有很多情妇，不同之处在于，他们没有称呼她们为“妾”。
In China’s case there might be similar ‘’Eastern’’ reasoning. Western kingdoms continued on even the ruling families changed. ( For ex: Britain) In eastern kingdoms , once family change, the kingdom change as well. Therefore keeping the birth record was important and system of concubines served a purpose.
在当时的中国，可能存在类似的“东方”思维。西方王国即使统治家族变化，仍然存在下去（例如：英国）。在东方王国中，一旦家族变化，王国也会变化。因此，保持出生记录很重要，而妻妾制度对此有重要意义。
在当时的中国，可能存在类似的“东方”思维。西方王国即使统治家族变化，仍然存在下去（例如：英国）。在东方王国中，一旦家族变化，王国也会变化。因此，保持出生记录很重要，而妻妾制度对此有重要意义。
Polygamy was common practice in feudal China, although only upper- and wealthy middle-class men could afford to take several wives. It was seen as an affirmation of male potency, and the presence of many women was taken to indicate a man’s virility.
在封建中国，一夫多妻制是普遍存在并允许的，尽管只有上层和富裕阶层男性才能承担得起娶几个妻子。这被视作是对男性力量的肯定，拥有多位女性被视为男人阳刚之气和有能力的象征。
The emphasis was on procreation and the continuity of the father’s family name. Confucianism emphasised the ability of a man to manage a family as part of his personal growth in daxue (great learning). In the case of the emperor, guaranteeing a successor to the throne was of paramount importance.
重点是生育和父亲家族名字的延续。儒家强调一个男人作为他在大学（大学之学）中个人成长的一部分，能够管理一个家庭的能力。对于皇帝而言，确保王位的继承人至关重要。
重点是生育和父亲家族名字的延续。儒家强调一个男人作为他在大学（大学之学）中个人成长的一部分，能够管理一个家庭的能力。对于皇帝而言，确保王位的继承人至关重要。
I am doubtful about the figure of thousands of concubines … Probably it depends on emperor to emperor but the main rules of concubine system looks obvious in Chinese system. Ming dynasty probably kept lots of concubines… Other than that I am not sure of figure of thousands..
我对成千上万的妻妾数字表示怀疑...可能这取决于不同的皇帝，但妻妾制度的主要规则在中国体制中显而易见。明朝可能养了很多妾...除此之外，我对成千上万的数字不太确定。
我对成千上万的妻妾数字表示怀疑...可能这取决于不同的皇帝，但妻妾制度的主要规则在中国体制中显而易见。明朝可能养了很多妾...除此之外，我对成千上万的数字不太确定。
‘’ In fact, the palace was mainly residential. It was the place where the emperor lived, the place where the concubines lived, and the eunuchs who looked after them. One authority claims that there were 10,000 concubines living in the Palace, which does seem rather excessive. ‘’ Source of the quoted paragraphs: Where the concubines lived - Ancient China
“实际上，宫殿主要是居住区。这是皇帝居住的地方，也是妻妾和照顾她们的太监居住的地方。有一种说法称宫殿中居住着1万名妾，这看起来有点过分。” 引用段落的来源：妾居之地 - 古代中国
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
“实际上，宫殿主要是居住区。这是皇帝居住的地方，也是妻妾和照顾她们的太监居住的地方。有一种说法称宫殿中居住着1万名妾，这看起来有点过分。” 引用段落的来源：妾居之地 - 古代中国
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
‘The four principles of polygamy in feudal China were:
封建中国一夫多妻制的四个原则是：
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
‘’ 1. The strict distinction between main wife and concubines
The main wife was superior to all other wives. She was responsible for submitting to the higher principles of polygamy and to mentor the other wives in harmonious behaviour for the greater good.
主妻与妾之间的严格区分
主妻优于其他所有妻子。她负责遵守一夫多妻制的更高原则，并指导其他妻子以和谐的行为维护家族更大的利益。
The main wife was superior to all other wives. She was responsible for submitting to the higher principles of polygamy and to mentor the other wives in harmonious behaviour for the greater good.
主妻与妾之间的严格区分
主妻优于其他所有妻子。她负责遵守一夫多妻制的更高原则，并指导其他妻子以和谐的行为维护家族更大的利益。
2. Women must not be jealous
Women, especially the main wife, had to rise above their earthly emotions. The belief that they were living for a higher purpose presumably helped displace feelings of bitterness, jealousy and rivalry.
2. 女人不得嫉妒
女人，尤其是主妻，必须超越尘世的情感。他们生活在更高目标之中的信仰可能有助于消除痛苦、嫉妒和竞争的情感。
Women, especially the main wife, had to rise above their earthly emotions. The belief that they were living for a higher purpose presumably helped displace feelings of bitterness, jealousy and rivalry.
2. 女人不得嫉妒
女人，尤其是主妻，必须超越尘世的情感。他们生活在更高目标之中的信仰可能有助于消除痛苦、嫉妒和竞争的情感。
3. Attachment could radically destabilise polygamy
The husband should not have a favourite, nor should any of the wives monopolise the man. Love had to be distributed evenly among the wives, which effectively meant that passionate attachment was not acceptable.
3. 依恋可能会使一夫多妻制极度不稳定
丈夫不应该有偏爱，任何妻子都不应该垄断这个男人。爱必须均匀分配给妻子，这意味着强烈的依恋是不可接受的。
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
The husband should not have a favourite, nor should any of the wives monopolise the man. Love had to be distributed evenly among the wives, which effectively meant that passionate attachment was not acceptable.
3. 依恋可能会使一夫多妻制极度不稳定
丈夫不应该有偏爱，任何妻子都不应该垄断这个男人。爱必须均匀分配给妻子，这意味着强烈的依恋是不可接受的。
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
4. Polygamy could only survive by observing a strict hierarchy
Each dynasty had its own set of titles and ranks for the imperial wives. The empress ranked at the top, with more wives filling successive echelons below her. Most wives occupied the lower echelons. Hierarchy was determined at specific times, such as when a new wife joined the imperial family and was assigned a rank.’’ Source of the quoted paragraphs: Why beauty was a curse for women in imperial China
4. 一夫多妻制只能通过遵守严格的等级制度来生存
每个朝代都为皇帝的妻子制定了一套自己的头衔和级别。皇后处于最高位置，下面有很多的妻子填补多阶层的妃子位置。大多数妻子占据较低的梯队。等级制度是在特定时期确定的，比如当新妻子加入皇室并被分配一个级别时。’’ 引用段落的来源：为什么美貌对古代中国女性是一种诅咒
Each dynasty had its own set of titles and ranks for the imperial wives. The empress ranked at the top, with more wives filling successive echelons below her. Most wives occupied the lower echelons. Hierarchy was determined at specific times, such as when a new wife joined the imperial family and was assigned a rank.’’ Source of the quoted paragraphs: Why beauty was a curse for women in imperial China
4. 一夫多妻制只能通过遵守严格的等级制度来生存
每个朝代都为皇帝的妻子制定了一套自己的头衔和级别。皇后处于最高位置，下面有很多的妻子填补多阶层的妃子位置。大多数妻子占据较低的梯队。等级制度是在特定时期确定的，比如当新妻子加入皇室并被分配一个级别时。’’ 引用段落的来源：为什么美貌对古代中国女性是一种诅咒
An Election Process For a Wife
It is better not to confuse election process with figure of thousands… Thousands of concubines is a problem for sexual rotation, palace security and finances. Most of the time , real number was probably much less…
挑选妻子的过程
最好不要将选举过程与数千的数字混淆...成千上万的妾对性轮换、宫殿安全和财政都是问题。大多数时候，实际数字可能要少得多...
It is better not to confuse election process with figure of thousands… Thousands of concubines is a problem for sexual rotation, palace security and finances. Most of the time , real number was probably much less…
挑选妻子的过程
最好不要将选举过程与数千的数字混淆...成千上万的妾对性轮换、宫殿安全和财政都是问题。大多数时候，实际数字可能要少得多...
‘’ In 1621, Ming Emperor Tianqi sent eunuchs across the country to handpick 5,000 young women aged 13 to 16, from whom he would sext a wife.
“1621年，明朝天启皇帝派太监遍布全国，精选了5000名年龄在13至16岁之间的年轻女性，他将从中选择一位妻子。
“1621年，明朝天启皇帝派太监遍布全国，精选了5000名年龄在13至16岁之间的年轻女性，他将从中选择一位妻子。
During the first round of the competition, the women stood in lines of 100 according to age. One thousand were eliminated for being too tall, short, fat or thin.
在比赛的第一轮中，女性按年龄排成100人一队。有一千人因身材太高、太矮、太胖或太瘦而被淘汰。
在比赛的第一轮中，女性按年龄排成100人一队。有一千人因身材太高、太矮、太胖或太瘦而被淘汰。
On the second day, the eunuchs intensively examined the women’s bodies and uated their voices and manner. This slimmed down the field by another 2,000.
第二天，太监们对女性的身体进行了深入检查，评估了她们的声音和举止。这进一步减少了2000名参赛者。
第二天，太监们对女性的身体进行了深入检查，评估了她们的声音和举止。这进一步减少了2000名参赛者。
The third day was spent observing their feet, hands and grace of movement. Another 1,000 were eliminated. The remaining 1,000 underwent gynaecological examinations, dismissing another 700 from the process.
第三天的测试在观察她们的脚、手和动作的优雅上。又有1,000人被淘汰。剩下的1,000人接受了妇科检查，又有700人被淘汰。
第三天的测试在观察她们的脚、手和动作的优雅上。又有1,000人被淘汰。剩下的1,000人接受了妇科检查，又有700人被淘汰。
The remaining 300 were then housed in the palace where they underwent a month-long series of tests of intelligence, merit, temperament and moral character.
剩下的300人被安置在宫殿里，接受了一个为期一个月的智力、才能、气质和道德品质的系列测试。
剩下的300人被安置在宫殿里，接受了一个为期一个月的智力、才能、气质和道德品质的系列测试。
The top 50 candidates were subject to further examinations and interviews about mathematics, literature and art, and ranked accordingly.
前50名候选人接受了有关数学、文学和艺术的进一步考试和面试，并相应排名。
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
前50名候选人接受了有关数学、文学和艺术的进一步考试和面试，并相应排名。
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
The three favourites would receive the highest ranking for imperial concubines.
最后选出的前三名将被评为皇室妾的最高级别。
最后选出的前三名将被评为皇室妾的最高级别。
Only a few of those who made it through this rigorous process would be noticed by the emperor and win his favour. Most would spend their lives in loneliness and, unsurprisingly, jealousy was rife. Beauty was more of a curse than a blessing in China during this period of history. ‘’ Source of the quoted paragraphs: Why beauty was a curse for women in imperial China
只有少数通过这个严格过程的人会被皇帝注意并赢得他的青睐。大多数人将度过他们孤独无助的一生，不出所料，嫉妒是普遍存在的。在这个历史时期，美貌更像是一种诅咒而不是一种祝福。” 引用段落的来源：
只有少数通过这个严格过程的人会被皇帝注意并赢得他的青睐。大多数人将度过他们孤独无助的一生，不出所料，嫉妒是普遍存在的。在这个历史时期，美貌更像是一种诅咒而不是一种祝福。” 引用段落的来源：
Why beauty was a curse for women in imperial China
为什么美貌对于中国古代妇女来说是一种诅咒
为什么美貌对于中国古代妇女来说是一种诅咒
Naturally, concubines were strictly forbidden from having sex with anyone other than the emperor. Most of their activities were overseen and monitored by eunuchs, who wielded great power in the palace. Concubines were required to bathe and be examined by a court doctor before the emperor visited their bed chamber. With hundreds, sometimes thousands, of concubines at the emperor’s disposal, any lady the emperor graced with a visit would be subject to jealous rivalries. Concubines had their own rooms and would fill their days applying make-up, sewing, practising various arts and socialising with other concubines. Many of them spent their entire lives in the palace without any contact with the emperor.
当然，妾是严格禁止与皇帝以外的任何人发生性关系的。她们的大部分活动都由太监监督和监控，太监在宫殿中拥有巨大的权力。妾必须在皇帝造访她们的卧室之前进行沐浴并接受宫廷医生的检查。由于皇帝手下有数百，有时甚至有数千名妾，任何受到皇帝临幸的女子都会引起别人的嫉妒。妾们有自己的房间，她们的日子都是在涂口红、缝纫、练习各种艺术和与其他妾社交中度过的。许多妾虽然在宫中度过整个一生，却没有机会与皇帝接触。
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
当然，妾是严格禁止与皇帝以外的任何人发生性关系的。她们的大部分活动都由太监监督和监控，太监在宫殿中拥有巨大的权力。妾必须在皇帝造访她们的卧室之前进行沐浴并接受宫廷医生的检查。由于皇帝手下有数百，有时甚至有数千名妾，任何受到皇帝临幸的女子都会引起别人的嫉妒。妾们有自己的房间，她们的日子都是在涂口红、缝纫、练习各种艺术和与其他妾社交中度过的。许多妾虽然在宫中度过整个一生，却没有机会与皇帝接触。
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
Cixi, the controversial concubine who became queen, led China into the modern age. After Cixi seized power, the brilliant queen regent of China never let it go and guided her people into the 20th century.
慈禧，这位成为皇后的备受争议的妾，领导中国进入了现代时代。在慈禧夺取了权力之后，这位杰出的中国女皇摄政者从未放手，并引导着她的人民走向20世纪。
Melania Van
This was for breeding male offspring to ensure the regime. Concubines were not wives. China followed a strict one husband one wife system. Manchu followed muti wives, multi concubines rule.
这是为了繁衍男性子嗣，以确保政权。妾并非妻子。中国遵循严格的一夫一妻制度。满洲人则奉行一夫多妻、多妾的规定。
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
This was for breeding male offspring to ensure the regime. Concubines were not wives. China followed a strict one husband one wife system. Manchu followed muti wives, multi concubines rule.
这是为了繁衍男性子嗣，以确保政权。妾并非妻子。中国遵循严格的一夫一妻制度。满洲人则奉行一夫多妻、多妾的规定。
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
Chinese Emperors all needed to get approval from the Empress Consorts when they wanted to sleep with concubines.
中国皇帝在想要与妾共寝时，都需要得到皇后的批准。
中国皇帝在想要与妾共寝时，都需要得到皇后的批准。
In the Han Dynasty, Emperors born to concubines were not allowed to title their mother the Empress Dowager.
在汉代，由妾所生的皇帝不得封其母为皇太后。
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在汉代，由妾所生的皇帝不得封其母为皇太后。
原创翻译：龙腾网 https://www.ltaaa.cn 转载请注明出处
Concubines were not allowed to raise their own children, not allowed to leave the Imperial Palace, and not allowed to live with their children. Concubines were not allowed to be buried in the family tomb, and not allowed to reserve sacrifice from offspring after death.
妾不得抚养自己的子女，不得离开皇宫，也不得与子女同住。妾不得葬于家族坟墓，死后也不得保留后代的祭祀。
妾不得抚养自己的子女，不得离开皇宫，也不得与子女同住。妾不得葬于家族坟墓，死后也不得保留后代的祭祀。
Concubines who had been elevated to Empress Consorts still could not have the full right as the origional orthodox Empress Consorts.
被提升为皇后的妾仍然不能拥有与正统皇后相同的全部权利。
被提升为皇后的妾仍然不能拥有与正统皇后相同的全部权利。
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