Pronunciation: [ɡwˈɑːŋksuː] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "Guangxu" (光緒) is made up of two Chinese characters, "guang" (光) and "xu" (緒). In IPA phonetic transcription, "guang" is pronounced as ɡwaŋ, while "xu" is pronounced as ɕy. Together, they form the name of the 11th emperor of the Qing dynasty in China. The Guangxu Emperor ruled from 1875 to 1908, and his reign is known for important political and social reforms in China.
Guangxu is a term primarily associated with the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Chinese history. It refers to the Guangxu Emperor, whose reign took place from 1875 to 1908. Born as Zaitian, he ascended the throne in 1875 at the age of four, becoming the ninth emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
During the Guangxu era, significant political, economic, and social changes occurred in China. The emperor aimed to modernize the country, initiating a series of reforms known as the Hundred Days' Reform in 1898. These reforms targeted the political, educational, and military systems, aiming to introduce Westernization principles and strengthen China's position in the world stage. However, the conservative forces within the imperial court, led by Empress Dowager Cixi, ended these reform efforts and put the Guangxu Emperor under house arrest, limiting his influence.
The Guangxu era is also associated with the Boxer Rebellion, an anti-foreign and anti-Christian movement that emerged in northern China in the late 19th century. The rebellion aimed to protect Chinese culture and rid the country of foreign influence. Although the Guangxu Emperor was sympathetic toward the Boxers, his power was limited, and the rebellion ultimately failed, leading to further weakening of the Qing Dynasty.
In summary, "Guangxu" refers to the emperor of the same name and the era associated with his reign. It denotes a period of attempted modernization and political reforms, but also highlights the resistance to change within the imperial court and the challenges faced by the Qing Dynasty during this time.
The word "Guangxu" has its etymology rooted in the Chinese language. "Guangxu" is the regnal name of the ninth emperor of the Qing dynasty in China, who reigned from 1875 to 1908.
In Chinese, "guang" (光) means "light" or "bright", and "xu" (緒) means "beginning" or "thread". When combined, "guangxu" can be translated as "glorious succession" or "brilliant era". This name was chosen to symbolize the promising beginning and positive prospects of Emperor Guangxu's reign.
