history
The Eight Beauties were courtesans on the Qinhuai River 秦淮河 in Nanjing during the Ming-Qing transition (~1640s). Famous for poetry, music, and political loyalty - not just looks. Members traditionally include 柳如是, 陈圆圆, 李香君, 董小宛, 顾横波, 卞玉京, 寇白门, 马湘兰.
