Died: 18 AD
Mother Lü (Chinese: ; pinyin: L M; died 18 AD) was a prominent figure during the Xin dynasty of China. She rose to become the first female rebel leader in Chinese history, leading a peasant uprising against the oppressive government. Her actions played a significant role in the downfall of the Xin dynasty and the later restoration of the Han dynasty.
Born during the Western Han dynasty, Mother Lü witnessed the rise of Emperor Wang Mang, who usurped the imperial throne in 9 AD, establishing the Xin dynasty. Wang implemented numerous policies that were unpopular among the wealthy landowners, causing economic stress and further weakening the legitimacy of his rule. Mother Lü belonged to a wealthy family in Haiqu County, Langya Commandery, in present-day Rizhao, Shandong province. Her family’s wealth was estimated to be immense, worth millions of coins according to the Book of the Later Han.
In 14 AD, tragedy struck Mother Lü’s family when her son, Lü Yu, was executed by the county magistrate for a minor offense. Consumed by grief and a desire for justice, Mother Lü plotted a rebellion. Utilizing her vast wealth, she recruited poor peasants and purchased weapons and supplies. With her charismatic leadership, she quickly amassed a rebel force of several thousand discontented individuals who were already disillusioned with the government.
As the rebel leader, Mother Lü successfully led her army to storm the capital of Haiqu County, ultimately capturing the county magistrate. In a poignant act of vengeance, she beheaded him and sacrificially placed his head on her son’s tomb. Mother Lü’s resounding victory and display of courage inspired people across the country to join the rebellion against Wang Mang’s oppressive rule. Her own force grew exponentially to tens of thousands of dedicated soldiers.
However, Mother Lü’s revolutionary journey was cut short when she succumbed to an illness in 18 AD. Nevertheless, her legacy lived on as the majority of her followers joined forces with another rebel leader, Fan Chong, who had revolted in Ju County. Together, they formed a formidable rebel army known as the Red Eyebrows. This alliance would prove instrumental in overthrowing Wang Mang’s regime.
Historians credit Mother Lü with igniting the wave of uprisings that ultimately toppled the Xin dynasty and restored the Han dynasty under the leadership of Liu Xiu, who became Emperor Guangwu, the first emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty. Mother Lü’s bravery and determination as the first known female rebel leader in Chinese history continue to inspire generations, becoming an indelible part of women’s history.