Analysis of the Creation and Demise of the WuZhou New Characters in Tang Dynasty Politics

Abstract

After a long political struggle during the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, Wu Zetian finally changed the name of the empire from Tang to Zhou in 690, thereby establishing her authority and rule. Despite this, opposition forces persisted against her within the court and the country. In response, Wu Zetian initiated a series of political and cultural reforms to further solidify her personal authority. One of these reforms was the WuZhou New Characters, introduced during her reign. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the main reasons for the emergence and demise of the new characters during the WuZhou period (690-705). Through the analysis of physical objects and historical documents and by referencing the results of previous studies, this research reveals the close connection between the WuZhou New Characters and the political situation of the time. To a certain extent, it also highlights the social and cultural changes that occurred. While Wu Zetian was alive, the new characters began to play a role alongside her authority. However, with Wu Zetian's death and the decline of the political power she represented, the new characters eventually faded away. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the political system and cultural evolution of the Tang Dynasty, providing new perspectives and references for research in the field of Chinese historiography.