Iron Widow

The symbol of the triangle often appears to illustrate the relationship dynamic among the three main characters of Zetian, Yizhi, and Shimin. Initially, the triangle is a red herring for the love triangle trope of young adult fiction. When Sima Yi accuses Zetian of cheating on Shimin with Yizhi, Zetian replies that “a triangle is the strongest shape” (200). The typical structure of the young adult love triangle implies at first that Zetian will continue to pursue individual relationships with both Yizhi and Shimin independently of one another, and instead, Zhao turns this expectation on its head by transforming the often problematic trope of the love triangle into a healthy yet unconventional polyamorous relationship that supports and sustains all three characters throughout their many challenges.

The symbolism of the triangle is further solidified when Yizhi helps a weakened Shimin and Zetian pilot the Vermillion Bird in Chapter 28, the title of which, quite appropriately, is “The Strongest Shape.” In this scene, Yizhi’s strong Wood and Earth qi help balance out the Fire qi of Shimin and the Metal qi of Zetian, allowing their elements to interact without self-destructing. The battlefield relationship among the three reflects their personal relationship; Yizhi balances out the other two and his intervention allows Zetian and Shimin to love one another fully.