Ancient Adage Reveals Historical Stigma Faced by Divorced Women in China

A stark Chinese folk saying, "ning qu gua fu, bu qu sheng qi," translates to "it is better to marry a widow than a divorced woman." This ancient phrase reveals the severe moral judgments women historically faced. The adage implies a widow, whose husband died, carried less social blame than a *sheng qi*. This term described a wife who was alive but formally dismissed by her husband. Such a dismissal signaled that society viewed the woman as at fault for the marriage's end. The saying highlights rigid historical standards that defined a woman's worth by her marital status.