The Secret of Sexual Intercourse of the Ancient Emperor's Selection of Concubines 2: Ye Shuhe
"Night Lotus" is another poetic way of selecting concubines. The name comes from the image of lotus flowers blooming at night, symbolizing the beautiful moment when the concubine is favored by the emperor at night.
"Night Lotus" was not a direct method of selecting concubines, but rather a rare and exotic flower associated with the court's culture of serving the emperor in bed. According to [the source]...The Inner Biography of Emperor Wu of HanAccording to historical records, Emperor Wu of Han once obtained a lotus that bloomed at night, named "Night-Blooming Lotus," symbolizing the emperor's favor at night. Later generations used "Night-Blooming Lotus" as a metaphor for the emperor's nighttime visits to his concubines.
Legend has it that some emperors would hold night banquets by the lotus pond in the imperial harem, where their concubines would display their talents or beauty. The emperor would then decide who would spend the night with him based on the blooming of the lotus flowers or the concubines' performance. This method combined natural scenery with competition within the harem, requiring concubines to attract the emperor's attention through their talents, demeanor, or meticulously designed clothing. "Night Lotus Blossoms" was not only a method of selecting concubines but also reflected the ancient court's pursuit of beauty and its metaphorical use of nature. Although the specific details varied across dynasties, this practice is frequently found in literary accounts, adding to the idyllic atmosphere of harem life.
Its cultural significance includes:
- MysteryFlowers that bloom at night are a metaphor for the unpredictability of the emperor's favors.
- Brief FavorThe lotus flower opens in the morning and closes in the evening, symbolizing the fleeting and unpredictable nature of a concubine's favor with the emperor.
- literary symbolLater poems often used "lotus blossoms at night" as a metaphor for palace grievances, such as "lotus blossoms at night, but you do not come; only the bright moon shines on the silk curtains."
Further reading:
- Ancient Emperors' Secret Techniques for Selecting Concubines and Their Sexual Intercourse 1
- Ancient Emperors' Secret Techniques for Selecting Concubines and Their Sexual Intercourse 2
- Ancient Emperors' Secret Techniques for Selecting Concubines and Their Sexual Intercourse (Part 3)
- Ancient Emperors' Secret Techniques for Selecting Concubines and Their Sexual Intercourse (Part 4)
- Ancient Emperors' Secret Techniques for Selecting Concubines and Their Sexual Intercourse (5)
