The Ancient Chinese Term for Male Same-Sex Love

QUEER WORD
CUT SLEEVE (断袖)

What It Means:

Cut sleeve (断袖) is a poetic euphemism from ancient China used to describe male same-sex love. The phrase has its roots in a tender (and very gay) moment between an emperor and his companion more than 2,000 years ago.

Let’s use it in a sentence:

Donnell is so cut sleeve for his boyfriend that he let him pick the Netflix show this weekend. All six seasons of it.

A Very Queer Love Story from the Han Dynasty

How far would you go to show your love for someone?

Would you write them a poem?

Would you tattoo their name on your arm?

Would you… cut off your sleeve?

As strange as it sounds, that’s exactly what happened in this very gay tale from ancient China.

Meet Emperor Ai and Dong Xian

Our story takes place during the Han Dynasty (202 BCE–220 CE), a time of cultural flourishing in China. Ruling near the end of this period was Emperor Ai (reign: 7 BCE–1 BCE), a young ruler known for his intelligence, indecisiveness, and one deeply romantic gesture.

At the centre of this story is Dong Xian - a court official and the emperor’s beloved companion.

The Moment That Made Queer History

Picture this: it’s a quiet afternoon in the imperial palace. The emperor and Dong Xian are napping together, as one does when you have an empire and unlimited nap privileges.

When Emperor Ai wakes, he finds Dong Xian asleep on the sleeve of his ornate, silk imperial robe — a garment that would have taken artisans months to craft.

Rather than disturb his lover, the emperor draws a knife and cuts off his own sleeve, leaving Dong to rest peacefully.

Cut Sleeve as a Symbol of Queer Love

That single, gentle act — small and unshowy — became immortalised in Chinese culture. Over time, “cut sleeve” entered the language as a poetic way to describe same-sex male love.

In an age when open queerness wasn’t exactly celebrated, the story became a way to reference queer desire without saying it outright.

And it stuck. For centuries.

Not Exactly a Happy Ending

If you’re a fan of happy endings… you might want to stop reading here.

Sadly, Emperor Ai died at just 20 years old, plagued by a mysterious illness. After his death, the political tides turned. Dong Xian — once the emperor’s favourite — was forced to die by suicide.

It’s tragic, yes. But it’s also moving that this quiet, queer love story was recorded and remembered — and that it left a permanent mark on the language.

Why It Still Matters

The story of “cut sleeve” is just one example of how queer love has always existed, even in times and places where it had to live quietly. It’s a reminder that our stories don’t start in the 20th century - they’ve been there all along, woven into myths, metaphors, and yes, the occasional imperial nap.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About ‘Cut Sleeve’ in Ancient China

What does ‘cut sleeve’ mean in Chinese history?

‘Cut sleeve’ (断袖, duàn xiù) is an ancient Chinese euphemism for male same-sex love. It comes from a romantic story about Emperor Ai of Han, who cut off his sleeve so he wouldn’t disturb his sleeping male companion, Dong Xian.

Who were Emperor Ai and Dong Xian?

Emperor Ai ruled during the Han Dynasty from 7 BCE to 1 BCE. Dong Xian was a court official and the emperor’s beloved partner. Their relationship is one of the most well-known examples of queer love in Chinese history.

Was homosexuality accepted in ancient China?

Attitudes toward same-sex relationships in ancient China were complex. While male-male love was documented and sometimes celebrated, it wasn’t always openly accepted, and relationships often existed within the constraints of power and discretion.

Is ‘cut sleeve’ still used today?

While not commonly used in everyday language, ‘cut sleeve’ remains a poetic and historical reference to male same-sex love in Chinese literature and cultural studies. It’s sometimes used in academic or LGBTQ+ activist circles when discussing queer Chinese history.

Are there other queer euphemisms in Chinese history?

Yes! Another well-known term is ‘bitten peach’ (分桃, fēn táo), which also symbolises male-male love. These euphemisms provided ways to talk about queerness indirectly, especially in eras where being open could be dangerous.