The Empress as Goddess

The most powerful woman of her time, her actual power surpassed that of her contemporary, Queen Victoria. The Dowager Empress Cixi ruled as de facto empress of China, in the name first of her son and then of her nephew. When she stepped back and her nephew instituted many reforms, she returned to power to establish more traditional rule.

In this photograph, the Empress has dressed as the bodhisattva Guan Yin (Kwan Yin or Kuan Yin), also known as the Chinese goddess of compassion.

Related articles:

• Empress Cixi Picture Gallery
• Cixi Biography
• Two Years in the Forbidden City by Princess Der Ling
• What Does the Title Dowager Mean?
• Powerful Women Rules You Should Know
• Poll: Who Was the Most Interesting Woman Ruler in History?

_{Image: Getty Images / Hulton Archive / Apic}