Diao Chan

Diao Chan (Simplified Chinese: 貂蝉; Traditional Chinese: 貂蟬, Pinyin: Diāo Chán) was one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. She was said to have been born in AD 169. Unlike the other three beauties, she never appears in any historical writings known to exist and is quite possibly a fictional character. According to historical records, Lü Bu did have relations with a maid of Dong Zhuo's; however, there is no evidence that this person's name was Diao Chan; in fact, it is extremely unlikely that it was, because "Diao" is and was not commonly used as a Chinese family name, and "diao chan" likely referred to sable (diao) tails and jade decorations in the shape of cicadas (chan), which at the time adorned the hats of high-level officials.

Related Topics:
Simplified Chinese - Traditional Chinese - Pinyin - Four Beauties - China - 169 - Sable - Jade - Cicada

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Diao Chan appeared in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in which she assisted in a plot by the official Wang Yun to persuade the warrior Lü Bu to kill his godfather, the tyrant Dong Zhuo. She did this by becoming Dong Zhuo's concubine but also Lü Bu's betrothed, then manipulating the two through their jealousy. (See double agent) Lü Bu had to escape shortly after killing Dong Zhuo and he lost a battle to Dong Zhuo's generals. However, he did meet up with Diao Chan once more. During the ploy to make Lü Bu kill Dong Zhuo, Diao Chan did fall in love with Lü Bu. Diao Chan several years later died of illness, having not gave birth to any children. Lü Bu was later killed when Cao Cao's conquered his base, Xiapi.

Related Topics:
Romance of the Three Kingdoms - Wang Yun - Lü Bu - Dong Zhuo - Jealousy - Double agent - Cao Cao

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Diao Chan is also a playable character in a video game, Dynasty Warriors, also known as Shin Sangoku Musou in Japan (literal Translation: Real Three Kingdoms Unmatched).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~