Name(s): Hsi Wang Mu; Queen Mother; Queen Mother of the West.
Era: Late Chou and Early Han
Symbol(s): a wild deity with disheveled hair held back in a jade pin, and is endowed with a leopard's tail, tiger's teeth, and a terrible scream.
Motif(s): Female deity without beginning or end; chaotic punisher of immoral behavior, giver of immortality, possessor of Yin and Yang, seductress.
Myth(s): Hsi Wang Mu brings to life the image of female sexuality. Text states that: It is not only the Yang (masculine) that can be nourished, the Yin (female) can also be. Hsi Wang Mu obtained the Tao of immortality by nourishing the Yin (within her). All men she had intercourse with fell ill despite her radiant health. Feeding on only milk, by playing the 5-stringed lute, she kept her heart harmonious and thoughts composed, and not other desires plagued her. Having no husband, she coupled with young men and boys.
Hi Autumn,
ReplyDeleteGreat information on your blog! I really enjoyed reading about more Chinese mythology and deities. You asked for some connections - I see connections to Hindu deities, specifically Krishna, who have forms with multiple eyes and arms/hands. Another interesting comparison is to Nu Kua - this deity reminds me of the Dogon deites who are lizards with red eyes. One last connection: Hsi-Wang Mu is a bit like Kali - chaotic, sexual, and terrifying.
Nice work!
-Kristin Callis