Women and Power: The Power and Status of the Wives of the Dukes for Fulfilling the Sage in the Kong Lineage in Qufu Since the Qing Dynasty

Abstract

In the patriarchal lineage management system in China, only men possess the right to run a lineage. However, by analyzing the power and status of the wives of the Dukes for Fufilling the Sage in the management of the Kong lineage in Qufu since the Qing Dynasty, this study finds that these women played an important role in lineage management. They performed the duties of the dukes under special circumstances and became the highest decision makers of the lineage. This study further analyzes the reasons why the duchesses could exercise management power in the Kong lineage.