In ancient China, women did not enjoy the same status or political rights as men. They were subordinate to their fathers, husbands, and finally, their sons in a system known as the "three followings" or sancong1. This system often led to physical ill-treatment, social segregation, and competition for their husband's affections with concubines.To get more news about women in ancient china, you can visit shine news official website.

Despite these harsh realities, some women managed to break through these barriers. The practical realities of daily life meant many women could and did circumvent conventions1. Some even rose to live extraordinary lives producing great literature, scholarship, and even ruling the Chinese empire itself.

The societal status of both women and men in ancient China was closely related to the Chinese kinship system2. The marital division of labor of "men plow, women weave" is expected to widen the gap in power of household decision-making in favor of men, keeping women in a subordinate position.

In theoretical terms, women's contribution to society was recognized in the principle of yin and yang1. However, even here, the male (yang) with its associated qualities is considered predominant and subtly superior to the female (yin): hard versus soft, forceful versus submissive, level versus curved, light versus dark, rich versus poor, and so on.

Women were expected to excel in four areas: fidelity, cautious speech, industriousness, and graceful manners1. A woman's virtue was a particularly valued attribute in Chinese society1.

However, the status of women declined from the Song dynasty onward due to the rise of neo-Confucianism2. Restrictions on women became more pronounced2. Despite these restrictions, certain women developed female-specific occupations and exclusive literary circles. They also gained certain types of political influence inaccessible to men.

In conclusion, while women in ancient China were often relegated to a subordinate status within society, they still found ways to express themselves and make significant contributions. Their experiences provide valuable insights into the societal norms and cultural beliefs of ancient China.