Encyclopedia: Empress Bian

Wife of Cao Cao and mother of Cao Pi. Made empress dowager when Cao Pi became emperor.

Officer Details

Wade-Giles: Empress Pien
Simplified Chinese: 卞皇后
Pronunciation: Bian⁴ Huang²hou⁴
Cantonese (Yale): Bin Wonghau
Cantonese (Jyutpin): Bin Wonghau

Birthplace: Baiting in Qi
(Although her family was registered in Langye)

Other Names: Lady Bian, Bian Shi

Name Notes: Called ‘Bian Shi’ in Koei’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI.

Rank and Titles

Queen (AD 219); Queen Dowager (AD 220); Empress Dowager (AD 221); Grand Empress Dowager (AD 226)

Family and Relationships

Bian Yuan (Father); Cao Cao (Husband); Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, Cao Zhi, Cao Xiong (Sons); Cao Rui (Grandson); Bian Bing (Brother); Bian Lan, Bian Lin (Nephews); Bian Hui, Bian Long (Grandnephews); Empress Bian (married to Cao Huan) married to Cao Huan (Grandniece); Empress Bian (married to Cao Mao) married to Cao Mao (Great-grandniece)

Literary Appearances

Sanguozhi: Wei 1, Wei 4, Wei 5

Jin Shu: 31

Zizhi tongjian: 68, 71, 76, 78