Wang Zhaojun
| Wang Zhaojun 王昭君 | |||||||||
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| First Lady of Hun Peace | |||||||||
| Born | c. 51 BCE | ||||||||
| Died | 15 BCE (aged 35–36) | ||||||||
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| Chinese name | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 王嬙 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 王嫱 | ||||||||
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| Courtesy name | |||||||||
| Chinese | 王昭君 | ||||||||
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Wang Qiang (c. 51–15 BCE), courtesy name Wang Zhaojun, was one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Born in Baoping Village, Zigui County (modern-day Hubei Province) in the Western Han dynasty, she was sent by Emperor Yuan to marry Chanyu Huhanye of the Xiongnu Empire in order to establish friendly relations with the Han dynasty through marriage.
In the most prevalent version of the "Four Beauties" legend, it is said that Wang Zhaojun left her hometown on horseback on a bright autumn morning and began a journey northward. Along the way, the horse neighed, making Zhaojun extremely sad and unable to control her emotions. As she sat on the saddle, she began to play sorrowful melodies on a pipa (a Chinese lute). A flock of geese flying southward heard the music, and saw the beautiful young woman riding the horse; they immediately forgot to flap their wings, and fell to the ground. From then on, Zhaojun acquired the nickname "fells geese" or "drops birds".