Tang Dynasty divorce letters reveal ancient women's rights in China

Archaeological discoveries in the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang have revealed 'Phóng thê thư' (letters of freedom for wives) dating back over 1,000 years to China's Tang Dynasty. These documents highlight a period where legal frameworks and social norms allowed for relatively open divorce and remarriage, offering a unique perspective on women's rights compared to other feudal eras.

Under the Tang Code, divorce was categorized into three main types: 'Hòa ly' (consensual divorce), 'Nghĩa tuyệt' (mandatory legal divorce), and unilateral divorce. 'Hòa ly' was the most common civil process, where a husband would write a letter expressing respect, acknowledging the lack of harmony, and offering blessings for the wife to find a better partner. These letters often included the return of the dowry and financial support, such as funds for 'clothing and cosmetics,' to ensure the woman's stability.

While unilateral divorce was possible under the 'Seven Out' rules, the Tang Dynasty also provided protections through the 'Three Not to Leave' regulations, which prevented husbands from divorcing wives who had observed three years of mourning for parents-in-law, those who married into poverty and later became wealthy, or those with no family to return to.