Why, throughout thousands of years of feudalism, did Chinese emperors have over 10,000 descendants but record very few pairs of twins in historical texts?
China has a long history, from the Xia, Shang, and Zhou to the Ming and Qing dynasties, each with its own characteristics. Throughout their feudal history, emperors have fathered over 10,000 descendants. Statistically, this would suggest the existence of twins among them; however, historical records indicate that only three pairs of twins were born into the imperial family throughout the entire feudal period. So, what are the real reasons behind this phenomenon?
Childbirth is inherently dangerous, and in ancient times, the lack of medical advancements made it even more perilous. There were no cesarean sections, and no pain relief or anesthesia; women giving birth during this period faced dangers akin to stepping into the gates of hell. The physicians of that time were often helpless, resigned to the will of fate. The risks associated with twin births naturally doubled, significantly increasing the likelihood of complications leading to mortality. For instance, Princess Shun’e of the Kangxi Emperor died due to complications during a twin delivery.
Childbirth was extremely dangerous, especially with underdeveloped medical knowledge. (Image: Sohu)
Superstitious Beliefs
The beliefs of ancient people differ significantly from those of modern society. In contemporary families, the birth of twins is celebrated as a joyous event, often shared widely, as if to announce to the world the arrival of twins. Many people even hope to have twins themselves.
In contrast, in ancient times, individuals placed great importance on feng shui and astrology. The superstitions of the aristocracy and royal families were even more pronounced. The “I Ching” records that: “One yin, two yang”, suggesting that ancient people believed that twins were filled with negative energy and their birth would bring disaster, severely impacting the nation’s fortune. Therefore, if a consort gave birth to twins, the emperor would resort to extremely brutal measures. In less severe cases, the imperial physician might be summoned to assess and suffocate the weaker child, while in more severe cases, both children would be killed or exiled from the palace.
Intense Competition for the Throne
Typically, feudal dynasties followed a system of succession favoring the eldest legitimate son (the son of the primary wife – the Empress) or the eldest son. A single birth presents no significant issues, but twin births introduce much more complexity. If one child is confirmed as the legitimate heir, the other may lose their chance to inherit the throne simply because they were born seconds later, leading to conflicts among princes and potential crises in succession.
Moreover, identical twins could easily lead to confusion; if one sibling sought to impersonate the other, it would be difficult to detect. Just imagining this scenario evokes fears far greater than the infamous power struggles of the Qing dynasty known as the “Nine Sons Competing for the Throne.” To prevent fratricidal conflicts over succession, the royal family would often choose to keep only one twin, leading to the other being killed.
The royal family always ensured that succession rights did not lead to conflicts, and twin births were often omitted from historical records.
If a common consort gave birth to twins, the two children would be viewed as the greatest rivals in the future power struggle. Twin births at that time were considered a misfortune rather than a blessing, and both children were constantly in danger. Due to succession considerations, the emperor would retain the healthier child, while the other would be “abandoned.”
Furthermore, emperors themselves did not wish for twin births. Whether twins were born to the empress or other consorts, the potential for power struggles and fratricidal conflicts loomed large.
For these reasons, the royal family would unite to prevent twin births, closely monitoring every step from a consort’s pregnancy to childbirth. Naturally, those who understood the intricacies of twin births within the palace were quite limited, and they would not disclose information casually for their own safety. Thus, records of twin births in history are extremely rare. Today, with advancements in medicine and shifts in societal beliefs, twins are celebrated as a unique and colorful part of the world.
