Ranks of Imperial Consorts in China - Qing

Qing

The Qing Dynasty's system was among one of the simpler systems in Chinese history. There were eight classes:

• Empress (Chinese: 皇后; pinyin: Huánghòu), only one in the imperial harem.
• Imperial Noble Consort (simplified Chinese: 皇贵妃; traditional Chinese: 皇貴妃; pinyin: Huáng Guìfēi), only one in the imperial harem.
• Noble Consorts (simplified Chinese: 贵妃; traditional Chinese: 貴妃; pinyin: Guìfēi), only two in the imperial harem.
• Consorts (Chinese: 妃; pinyin: Fēi), only four in the imperial harem.
• Imperial Concubines (simplified Chinese: 嫔; traditional Chinese: 嬪; pinyin: Pín), only six in the imperial harem.
• Noble Ladies (simplified Chinese: 贵人; traditional Chinese: 貴人; pinyin: Guìrén), unlimited number in the imperial harem.
• First Class Female Attendant (Chinese: 常在; pinyin: Chángzài), unlimited number in the imperial harem.
• Second Class Female Attendant (simplified Chinese: 答应; traditional Chinese: 答應; pinyin: Dāyìng), unlimited number in the imperial harem.

The system was solid, but the number of consorts an emperor actually had during the Qing Dynasty was subject to wild variations. The Kangxi Emperor holds the record for having the most consorts with 79, while the Guangxu Emperor holds the record for having the least consorts, with one empress and two consorts - a total of just three consorts.

The tradition of ranking concubines ended as the Qing Dynasty was overthrown. However, the practice of giving rank to people who "unofficially" (lives with, but never marry) have more than one wife is still widespread. In addition, the term Madame is still used, albeit rarely and only in very formal settings, as an honorific title towards another person's wife in China.