Final answer:
Wu Zetian, also known as Wu Zhao, defied traditional Confucian gender roles by becoming the Tang Dynasty's only female emperor, founding her own dynasty, and challenging patriarchal norms in a society where women's roles were often strictly limited.
Step-by-step explanation:
As the Tang Dynasty's only empress, Wu Zetian defied many traditional Confucian ideas about the role of women in society. Empress Wu Zhao, also known as Wu Zetian, was known for her intelligence, competencies as a ruler, and particularly for her challenge to the patriarchal norms of the time. Not only did she declare Buddhism the state religion, but she also founded her own dynasty, the Zhou, assuming the title of emperor, which was an unprecedented move for a woman.
Empress Wu's rise to power was controversial, especially since she entered palace life as a low-ranking consort and later took significant control after the death of her husband, Emperor Gaozong. Despite resistance and opposition from many aristocrats who disapproved of a woman ruling, Wu Zetian managed to rule effectively and maintain power until her abdication. Her period of influence contributed to what some consider a 'golden age' for women in China, although this was also a time when societal norms were often strictly enforced.