Red Eyebrow

Quick Facts: Who was Red Eyebrow?

Subject:

Red Eyebrow

Known for:

Major peasant rebellion movement opposing the Xin dynasty, known for red-painted eyebrows.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Red Eyebrows (Chinese: 赤眉; pinyin: Chìméi) was one of the two major peasant rebellion movements against Wang Mang's short-lived Xin dynasty, the other being Lülin. It was so named because the rebels painted their eyebrows red. The rebellion, initially active in the modern Shandong and northern Jiangsu regions, eventually led to Wang Mang's downfall by draining his resources, allowing Liu Xuan (the Gengshi Emperor), leader of the Lülin, to overthrow Wang and temporarily reestablish an incarnation of the Han dynasty. The Red Eyebrows later overthrew the Gengshi Emperor and placed their own Han descendant puppet, teenage emperor Liu Penzi, on the throne, who ruled briefly until the Red Eyebrows leaders' incompetence in ruling the territories under their control caused the people to rebel against them, forcing them to retreat and attempt to return home. When their path was blocked by the army of Liu Xiu's (Emperor Guangwu) newly established Eastern Han regime, they surrendered to him.

Career & Major Achievements

Circa 17 CE, due to Wang Mang's incompetence in ruling—particularly in his implementation of his land reform policy—and a major Yellow River flood affecting the modern Shandong and northern Jiangsu regions, the people who could no longer subsist on farming were forced into rebellion to try to survive. The rebellions were numerous and fractured. Two key examples are discussed below. Fan Chong (樊崇, who would eventually become the leader of the Red Eyebrows, albeit in a collective leadership) started his own rebellion in 18 CE, in the Ju and Langya counties (near modern Rizhao region). He used Mount Tai as his base, and he was able to gather about 10,000 men.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He soon entered into an alliance with other rebel leaders Pang An (逄安), Xu Xuan (徐宣), Xie Lu (謝祿), and Yang Yin (楊音), pooling resources with them, and they soon became powerful and unstoppable for the local governments. The case of Mother Lü was a highly unusual one. Her son was a minor official at the Haiqu county (海曲, in modern Rizhao, Shandong) government, who was accused of a minor offence and executed by the county magistrate. Mother Lü, who was a substantial landowner, sold off her property and used the proceeds to recruit poor young men. When she gathered thousands, she stormed the county seat in the year 17 CE and killed the magistrate to avenge her son's death.

Notable Quotes by Red Eyebrow

“I'd rather meet the Chimei than the Taishi.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Red Eyebrow

True or False: “The Red Eyebrows were the only major peasant movement to successfully overthrow a ruling dynasty.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): They were one of two major movements; Lülin was the other significant rebellion that contributed to Wang Mang's downfall.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Red Eyebrows — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Major peasant rebellion movement opposing the Xin dynasty, known for red-painted eyebrows.
• Red Grange — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Iconic halfback, nicknamed 'the Galloping Ghost', who starred in college and professional football.
• Red Hot Chili Peppers — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneering funk-infused rock band known for genre-blending anthems.
• Red Power movement — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A social movement demanding self-determination and rights for Native Americans.
• Red River Colony — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A major 19th-century British colonization project in modern Manitoba, Canada.
• Red River Rebellion — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The 1869 Red River Rebellion led to the establishment of Manitoba as a Canadian province.

Frequently Asked Questions about Red Eyebrow