Jiang Qing - Names of Jiang Qing

Names of Jiang Qing

There are several reasons for Jiang Qing's large repertoire of names. A large part of it has to do with the turbulent historical period she lived in. At the time of her birth, many female children never received given names or formal education.

Her father named her Li Jinhai because he wanted a son, but this was altered after her birth to Li Shumeng. She enrolled in school under a more dignified name, Li Yunhe, and simply changed it for convenience to Li He.

As was customary for Chinese actors during that time (and for some, until the present-day), she chose a stage name, which was used in all the plays and films that credited her roles. Lan Ping was the name she was known by within Chinese film circles and a name she came to identify with.

It is unclear when she changed her name to Jiang Qing, but it probably occurred before her arrival to Yan'an. It is believed that the character "Qing" was chosen because it related to the concept of Blue ("Lan"). There is some evidence that the name signified her status as a Communist and a severance from her "bourgeoisie" past. She also used Li Jin to pen a number of articles she wrote during the Cultural Revolution.

Eventually, to protect her identity, she used Li Runqing when she was hospitalized after being released from prison. She was buried under her tombstone which bore the name "Li Yunhe".

1. Birth name: Lǐ Shūméng (Chinese: 李淑蒙)
2. Given name: Lǐ Jìnhái (simplified Chinese: 李进孩; traditional Chinese: 李進孩)
3. School name: Lǐ Yúnhè (simplified Chinese: 李云鹤; traditional Chinese: 李雲鶴)
4. Modified name: Lǐ Hè (simplified Chinese: 李鹤; traditional Chinese: 李鶴)
5. Stage name: Lán Píng (Chinese: 蓝苹)
6. Revolutionary pseudonym: Jiāng Qīng (Chinese: 江青)
7. Pen name: Lǐ Jìn (simplified Chinese: 李进; traditional Chinese: 李進)
8. Last used name: Lǐ Rùnqīng (simplified Chinese: 李润青; traditional Chinese: 李潤青)
9. Western name: Madame Mao