Final answer:
From 1200 to 1450, women in China experienced subordination under Confucianism but also held political power in some cases, influenced also by Buddhism and Daoism. In Islamic society, the status of women varied widely but included property rights and political roles. Both societies saw women participating in arts and influencing their cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the period between 1200 to 1450, the status of women in China and Islamic society exhibited both contrasts and similarities influenced by cultural, religious, and societal norms. In China, influenced by Confucianism, women were subordinated to male authority through systems that treated women as property and restricted their freedom, manifested in practices like foot-binding and sumptuary laws.
However, figures like Empress Wu and Empress Wei demonstrated significant political influence, and the influence of Buddhism and Daoism sometimes offered measures of independence. In the earlier Neolithic period, there is evidence that Chinese society may have been matrilineal, with archaeological finds suggesting a parity between genders.
In contrast, women in Islamic society experienced a variety of statuses depending on the time, place, and interpretation of sharia law. Certain Islamic regions allowed women significant property rights, and practices such as the hijab could be interpreted both as a form of repression and a means to assert social status and piety.
The role of women was multifaceted, varying from regions where women had some political sway to places where they were largely confined to private spheres.
Despite the cultural differences, women in both societies used their positions to influence politics and society at times. Notably, they engaged in arts like poetry and spirituality, positioning themselves as culturally significant actors within their respective societies.