Unveiling the Restored Image of Daji, the Legendary Beauty

Daji, or , was a notorious beauty in Chinese history, infamous for her role in the downfall of the Shang Dynasty. Portrayed as a nine-tailed fox spirit in “Fengshen Yanyi,” Daji’s allure captivated King Zhou, leading to catastrophic consequences.

Her reputation as a femme fatale is not without reason. King Zhou’s obsession with Daji led him to go to great lengths to please her, amassing rare treasures from across the land and presenting them to her in a lavish display.

Furthermore, Daji’s curiosity drove her to commit heinous acts, such as ordering the amputation of a man’s feet to understand how he could walk on ice, and dissecting a pregnant woman to satisfy her curiosity about the fetus.

She even encouraged King Zhou to extract T‘s heart to examine the legend of the “seven-aperture heart.” These mythical accounts, though exaggerated, highlight the perceived cruelty and insatiable curiosity of Daji.

However, the fall of a dynasty cannot be attributed solely to one woman. King Zhou, already an inept and indulgent ruler, obsessed with female company, bears the brunt of the responsibility. Even without Daji, history suggests he would have found another object of desire, but the root cause lies with the king himself.

Archaeological discoveries in Anyang, Henan, in the early 20th century, including artifacts from the Shang Dynasty, provide valuable insights into that era. Although it’s rumored that a painting of a woman named “Su Daji” was found alongside a coffin, the truth remains uncertain.