Thursday, September 11, 2008

Cao Guojiu

The newest of the Eight Immortals, Royal Uncle Cao or Cao Guojiu or Wade-Giles, Ts'ao Kuo-ch'iu, is named one of the following:
* Cao Yi
* Cao Jing
* Cao Jingxiu
* Cao You .
He was said to be the uncle of the of the Song Empire, being the younger brother of Empress Dowager Cao .

In historic records, there were several Emperor-consorts Caos in the Song Empire, but only one became empress: Cishengguangxian Empress , the wife of the fourth Song emperor, , none of whose children became an emperor.

However, this therefore does not render the historical existence of the "Royal Uncle Cao" impossible as in pre-modern China, the address "uncle" also meant "brother-in-law". Sometimes specified as "Wife-uncle" or as a respect, "Little Uncle" . Císhèngguāngxiàn Empress did have a younger brother named Cao Yi in historical record. But the given name of Royal Uncle Cao being Yi as well could be a ''post hoc''.

Cao Guojiu's younger brother Cao Jingzhi was a bully, but no one dared to prosecute him because of his powerful connections, not even after he killed a person. Royal Uncle Cao was so overwhelmed by sadness and shame on his brother that he resigned his office and left home.

Depiction



He is shown in the official's court dress with a jade tablet. Sometimes he holds castanets.

His jade tablet can purify the environment.

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