Wang Zhaojun – Said to be so beautiful, her appearance would entice birds to fall from the sky (Han Dynasty 1st century BC).

Wang Zhaojun became a concubine during the reign of Emperor Yuan. Yuan chose his partners and lovers by looking at their portraits. Due to the many maidens, competition was harsh and this caused a lot of bribes and offerings to the artists to make them as beautiful as possible. When Wang Zhaojuns portrait was seen by the emperor she seemed the ugliest and was sent to become the bride of a barbaric nation to calm relations. However on the day of her leave, the Emperor fell in love with her and brought the death of the artist. It was too late for Yuan to reclaim her.