記憶與歷史不盡相同，每一個人都有記憶，但除了生理上與心理上的制約外，都受到社會環境的影響。一個社會的集體記憶更是社會的產物，經長期累積而成，往往真假莫辨，信以為真；歷史則要講究客觀可信，儘量澄清往事的真相。記憶是對往事的一種重演與回顧，而歷史必須解釋往事，產生歷史意識。本文以葉赫那拉氏個案來說明記憶與歷史之異同，葉赫那拉氏成為慈禧太后，實際統治滿清帝國將近半個世紀，不同社會背景與意識形態的人，對同一個慈禧太后，出現形形色色、甚至離奇怪誕的記憶。民國成立前後，由於國家積弱的傷痛，以及康有為、章太炎等言論界鉅子的影響，在華人社會的集體記憶裡，慈禧成為前朝 罪惡的化身。如本文所見，歷史家憑藉可靠的史料與理性考證，可以呈現比較真實的葉赫那拉氏之一生，但仍然難以取代存在於華人社會中根深蒂固的集體記憶。

Memory is not exactly the same as history. If history is organized memory, memory is an amorphous phenomenon, though it is capable of prossessing voluminous information across time and space. Every individual has his or her memory, but due to biological, ideological, and in particular social interference, memory is normally unstable. One may forget, misunderstand, distort, or exaggerate the events being incorporated as memory. The anonymous collective memory especially is formulated by the society in which individuals live. Such memories are invariably distorted, thus capable of losing truth, while history in the final analysis seeks objectivity and truth. As well, memory is a repetition or recollection of what has happened, while history interprets the past events. The historian hence endeavors to make past events more objective and truthful. This paper examines the images and facts of the life of Yehonala, known as the Empress Dowager Cixi, of the Qing dynasty, through the lens of collective memory, showing in what ways collective memory has misunderstood the past through an examination of the “facts” of Cixi’s life. She was the de facto ruler of China for nearly half a century. Individual memories of her, due to personal and ideological differences, are distinctly different. Prior to and following the downfall of the Qing dynasty, largely thanks to the persistent propaganda launched by the reformers as well as the revolutionaries, she was turned into a symbol of great evil in the collective memory of Chinese communities around the world. They continue even today to use Cixi as a trope for the power-hungry woman. Although historians may provide us with a more balanced account of her, either to rebut or confirm specific memories, it is most unlikely that history can eliminate the largely negative collective memory that deeply resides in Chinese communities of various sorts.