The mystery inside the brocade bag was clutched by Empress Dowager Xu Xi when she died, and the secret of the heavens was revealed

Kim LâmAug 12, 2023 at 11:39

 5  |  0 Discuss  |  Report

After 76 years since Empress Dowager Xu died, during an excavation to renovate the tomb, a small brocade bag was found in her right hand. Worth mentioning, what was inside that bag was even more unexpected and astonishing.

In 1908, Empress Dowager Xu died, ending nearly 30 years of supreme power to guide the Qing dynasty to withstand many events of history. Empress Dowager Xu Xi died on the night of November 15, 1908, shortly after she appointed the 3-year-old Puyi to the throne.

Although the civilization of the world came to China at the end of the 19th century, as a person of royalty, Xu Xi's funeral still took place in accordance with royal traditions and regulations. However, it is extremely strange that in addition to traditional votive items, people also burned many votive types that never appeared at funerals in China at that time such as paper money, watches, cabinets ... for this Empress Dowager.

The wealth buried under China's most powerful and luxurious empress dowager still stuns posterity because the quantity and value if measured by modern exchange rates can reach billions of dollars.

The mystery inside the brocade bag was clutched by Empress Dowager Xu Xi when she died, and the secret of the heavens was revealed - Photo 1

Accordingly, in 1928, Sun Yanying, commander of the 12th Corps of the Nationalist Party, used artillery to open the way to excavate the tomb of Empress Dowager Cixi. As a result, the empress dowager's coffin was destroyed, and all her possessions, including gold, silver and strange precious stones, were violently taken away. Sun Yanying even opened Empress Dowager Xu Xi's mouth to steal the trillions worth of Yumingzhou.

The incident quickly spread throughout China and mass organizations and organizations sent telegrams to the government demanding strict punishment of grave thieves. Chiang Kai-shek ordered Empress Dowager Xu Xi back in the coffin and the stolen treasures recovered.

In 1983, a working group consisting of 13 people was formed to restore Xu Xi's remains and tomb. However, China's Ministry of Culture and History has announced that it will stop the restoration of Empress Dowager Cixi's remains and maintain the status quo.

In order to continue carrying out the task of preserving Xu Xi's body to the fullest, in April 1984, the working group once again opened the lid of the Empress Dowager's coffin. During this inspection, the team found a foreign object made of brocade in Xu Xi's right hand. It was a small bag, which contained 1 tooth and 2 of her fingernails.

The mystery inside the brocade bag was clutched by Empress Dowager Xu Xi when she died, and the secret of the heavens was revealed - Photo 2

The Empress Dowager was in the habit of growing nails, but each hand only raised three nails on the thumb, little finger and ring finger. Each of her nails had her own palace lady in charge of her care, and was protected by gold armor!

To protect the nails, Xu Xi specifically asked the nurse to specially prepare a special nail balm that made the nails softer and harder to break. Besides a variety of tools such as needles, hooks, brushes, small scissors used to trim nails for the empress dowager are "imported".

The mystery inside the brocade bag was clutched by Empress Dowager Xu Xi when she died, and the secret of the heavens was revealed - Photo 3

Thanks to careful care, Xu Xi's nails can grow up to more than 15cm in length. However, in old age, Empress Dowager Xu Xi's nails were still dull. Xu Xi initially blamed the subordinate for neglecting her responsibilities, but eventually she realized that she could not resist the inevitable law of time. At this time, Empress Dowager Xu Xi would cut her nails regularly.

Especially, when the 8-nation imperial coalition attacked Beijing, long fingernails became the identifying feature for pursuing Empress Dowager Cixi.

For safety's sake, she had to change into civilian clothes and also have her nails cut off. It is known that when cutting the nails of the empress dowager, all the palace ladies cried like rain. When she died, courtesans and close eunuchs carefully stored her nails and teeth in brocade bags stitched with gold thread and placed in the hands of the empress dowager.

The mystery inside the brocade bag was clutched by Empress Dowager Xu Xi when she died, and the secret of the heavens was revealed - Photo 4

Later, when the restoration work of Xu Xi's remains was carried out, it was discovered. Xu Xi's last body when put back into the coffin had a height of 1m60. All precious items such as jewelry, robes, buffalo legs ... recovered from the theft of 1928 remains intact in the final resting place of this powerful Empress Dowager.

For fans of Chinese historical dramas, especially during the Qing Dynasty, it will be no stranger to fake nails, also known as armor - inseparable objects of concubines. The ancient Chinese believed that hair and nails belonging to parents should be avoided and allowed to grow naturally. Long raised hair is no problem, but long raised nails will be extremely entangled. So the armor was born, with the sole purpose of protecting the long nails.

In addition, the Warring States era woman who grew long nails was usually only middle-class or older. A set of nails will show a woman's identity and class. To be more beautiful, they will dye their nails into their favorite colors, they can also paint or inlay on their nails decorative details.

The mystery inside the brocade bag was clutched by Empress Dowager Xu Xi when she died, and the secret of the heavens was revealed - Photo 5

As for Empress Dowager Xu Xi, a palace lady who had followed her once revealed in her autobiography that Xu Xi wore gold armor in her right hand and pearl armor in her left hand. In the evening, she opted for a less sparkly set.

And yet, the types of armor are also changed depending on the weather: Winter uses brocade, summer uses marble, the rest mostly use gold inlaid with jade and precious stones.

Empress Dowager Xu Xi's collection of fake nails is extremely diverse, each of which is not the same, exquisitely crafted and exuding extravagance with all kinds of materials from gold, agate, pearls to rare ivory pearls.

The mystery inside the brocade bag was clutched by Empress Dowager Xu Xi when she died, and the secret of the heavens was revealed - Photo 6

In particular, in Empress Dowager Xu Xi's armor, there was hidden poison to protect herself. Those who plotted to harm Empress Dowager Xu Xi would be given poison by her.

So to see, those noble nails are not simple at all, they not only represent the rank of women in feudal society, but also represent the rich desires of the ancients.

The mystery inside the brocade bag was clutched by Empress Dowager Xu Xi when she died, and the secret of the heavens was revealed - Photo 7

b>

b>

Did you LIKE this article?
Yes
No

Related topics

Sun Wukong "is not afraid of heaven, not afraid of earth" but why is he afraid of sea battles?

Sun Wukong "is not afraid of heaven, not afraid of earth" but why is he afraid of sea battles?
An Nhi11:16:37 31/08/2022
In Journey to the West, Sun Wukong is a very powerful character, but has a unique weakness that is "fear of sea war". Accordingly, Ton Ngo Khong always finds enough words to evade whenever he has to fight underwater. In the work Journey to the West by Ngo Thua An, Ton Ngo Khong...

 5  |  0 Discuss  |  

The groom sobbed while receiving the bride, knowing the truth everyone sympathizes

The groom sobbed while receiving the bride, knowing the truth everyone sympathizes
An Nhi16:21:25 12/04/2022
The moment the groom burst into tears during the procession of the bride drew many people's attention. Wedding is a great life story of people's life, it is also a joyful thing that everyone looks forward to. On the day of the wedding, it is normal for the bride to be sad and...

 5  |  0 Discuss  |  

Empress Dowager Cixi - the mystery of the never-green grave

Empress Dowager Cixi - the mystery of the never-green grave
Nắng15:39:37 03/03/2022
From the feudal period, the ancients believed that if ancestors' graves were well built, their descendants would be promoted to positions and prosper for many generations. Therefore, the Chinese feudal kings paid great attention to feng shui the location of the tomb, even...

 1  |  0 Discuss  |  

The appearance of an alien-like 'cat body with a human head' makes people shiver

The appearance of an alien-like 'cat body with a human head' makes people shiver
Nắng10:24:39 03/03/2022
Because of such strangeness, the photo of this bizarre animal quickly "covered" all over social networking sites. In recent days, netizens are spreading images of an extremely bizarre-looking animal with a cat body but human-like head and pink skin. The creature also has sharp...

 1  |  0 Discuss  |  

Ai Tan Giac La Khai Tinh - The official way of the Qing Dynasty, breaking the rules of filming for Luu Duc Hoa

Ai Tan Giac La Khai Tinh - The official way of the Qing Dynasty, breaking the rules of filming for Luu Duc Hoa
Hoàng Phúc15:02:31 22/02/2022
Because of her special name, this actress is always withdrawn and tight-lipped, even when joining the noisy environment of the Chinese entertainment industry. The Qing Dynasty was the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history, and the Aixin Jiao La was also the last clan to see the...

 2  |  0 Discuss  |  

Empress Dowager Cixi and 100 children lie in the tomb, the macabre truth reveals the outraged crime

Empress Dowager Cixi and 100 children lie in the tomb, the macabre truth reveals the outraged crime
Như Ý15:41:50 22/11/2021
Empress Dowager Cixi (1835-1908) was known as the most powerful and cruel woman in China's feudal history. As the person who held the supreme position for many years in the Qing dynasty, she did many myths, killed sentient beings, changed the direction of development and caused...

 4  |  0 Discuss  |  

Thuc concubine Van Tu dared to divorce the king because of physiological weakness, marrying 2 poor husbands

Thuc concubine Van Tu dared to divorce the king because of physiological weakness, marrying 2 poor husbands
Như Ý15:22:57 12/11/2021
Thuc concubine Van Tu had a life of many hardships and misfortunes, but this concubine was remembered and admired by many people as the first person in history to dare to divorce the king. Thuc concubine Van Tu (born 1909 - died 1953), whose real name is Ngach Er Dac Van Tu, at...

 2  |  0 Discuss  |  

Empress Dowager Tu Hy did not eat these 2 meat dishes in her life, only drank boiled water once, what is the reason?

Empress Dowager Tu Hy did not eat these 2 meat dishes in her life, only drank boiled water once, what is the reason?
team youtube17:44:40 24/07/2021
If talking about famous queens in the feudal Chinese dynasty, of course, it is impossible not to mention Empress Dowager Tu Xi. She was born on November 29, 1835 - and died on November 15, 1908 during the Qing Dynasty. Empress Dowager Xu Xi is famous for the most extravagant...

 2  |  0 Discuss  |  

The secret of the Qing harem is far from the movies, the audience is surprised because they have been deceived for so long

The secret of the Qing harem is far from the movies, the audience is surprised because they have been deceived for so long
team youtube18:00:26 20/05/2021
The Qing Dynasty is a Chinese dynasty founded by the Manchus. This was also the last feudal dynasty in Chinese history. Many filmmakers have relied on this dynasty to create immortal historical works of archery. However, the truth is that the Qing Dynasty harem is far different from the movies we usually see

 1  |  0 Discuss  |  

The never-revealed great cavalry and hidden corners of the great inner guards of the Qing Dynasty

The never-revealed great cavalry and hidden corners of the great inner guards of the Qing Dynasty
team youtuber23:10:51 11/10/2020
Having an extremely important role in the forbidden palace with such strict selection requirements, around these guards there were also What are the secrets that people still don't know? During the Qing Dynasty, the imperial guard was the force to protect the Forbidden City and was likened to the Emperor's guardian spirit. On TV series

 4  |  0 Discuss  |  

The fake gold nail of the Qing Dynasty harem and the mystery behind

The fake gold nail of the Qing Dynasty harem and the mystery behind
team youtuber11:53:05 02/10/2020
A big issue that people are most concerned about is when the concubines in the harem are invited to visit the emperor, whether the nails are Does the fake affect your dragon body? If you are a fan of Chinese historical dramas, surely everyone can easily recognize the pearl-encrusted gold-plated nails of many female leads

 3  |  0 Discuss  |  

The dark fate of the palace maids in the forbidden palace

The dark fate of the palace maids in the forbidden palace
team youtuber10:00:06 26/09/2020
The inadvertent cruelty as well as countless cumbersome rituals have made the palace maidens one of the people with the most tragic fate in the palace It can be said , for the life of a palace woman, just one step into the Forbidden City, most of them have a tragic end, either lonely to old age, or struggling to...

 3  |  0 Discuss  |