Cai Wenji

Cai Wenji, also known as Lady Wenji, was a poet, musician, and scholar of the late Eastern Han dynasty whose life epitomized both tragedy and brilliance. The daughter of the famed scholar Cai Yong, she inherited his literary genius and deep understanding of the arts. Captured by Xiongnu nomads during the chaos following the Han’s collapse, she spent twelve years in captivity before being ransomed back to China.

Her experiences of loss, exile, and displacement gave rise to her hauntingly beautiful compositions, such as Eighteen Songs of a Nomad Flute. Through her poetry, she expressed grief for her country, her family, and the suffering of a world in turmoil. Her talent and resilience made her one of the most respected women of Chinese antiquity.