Queen Mother of the West

Xiwangmu (西王母), or Queen Mother of the West, is one of the most ancient and powerful goddesses in the Chinese pantheon. She has complete control over life, death, creation, and destruction. She is married to the Jade Emperor (玉皇) and tends to the Peaches of Immortality in their palace gardens. Xiwangmu is thought to have once been a wild demon that lived in the mountains and caused cataclysmic disasters. After repenting her evil ways, she achieved enlightenment and became a goddess.

English: China Painting of Queen Mother of the West Riding Foo Dog , Ink Color & Gold on Paper

The Queen Mother of the West is most often depicted holding court within her palace on the mythological Mount Kunlun, usually supposed to be in western China (a modern Mount Kunlun is named after this). Her palace is believed to be a perfect and complete paradise, where it was used as a meeting place for the deities and a cosmic pillar where communications between deities and humans were possible. At her palace she was surrounded by a female retinue of prominent goddesses and spiritual attendants. One of her symbols is the Big Dipper.

In Chinese mythology, the powerful goddess Xiwangmu has a deep and complex relationship with tigers, especially the mythical White Tiger, or Baihu. Their connection is rooted in Xiwangmu's origins as a fierce mountain deity and the White Tiger's role as a guardian of the west. The White Tiger is one of the four celestial spirits, representing the west and the metal element, which aligns with Xiwangmu's domain.

Etymology

Like other high ranking deities, Xiwangmu has many names and honorary titles. Her most common name is simply xī wáng mǔ (西王母). Xī (西) is the Chinese character for West, wáng (王) is an honorific title reserved for gods and emperors, and mǔ (母) simply means “mother.” Xiwangmu’s name is most often interpreted as “Queen Mother of the West.”

The phrase “wáng mǔ” has several alternate meanings, however. Wáng mǔ is also a way of saying “grandmother,” and Xiwangmu’s name could thus be interpreted as “Western Grandmother.” Wáng mǔ can also mean “deceased female relative,” and Xiwangmu’s name is sometimes interpreted as “Spirit (or Ghost) Mother of the West” as a result.

Xiwangmu is also referred to as jīn mǔ (金母) or “Golden Mother.” Colloquially, she is often called “Aunt Mother Queen” or wáng mǔ niáng niang (王母娘娘).

Attributes

In early Chinese texts, Xiwangmu had a wild, almost feral appearance befitting her ferocious personality. Around the Tang Dynasty, however, popular opinion surrounding Xiwangmu began to shift dramatically. Texts now described her as having the appearance of a human woman, though she retained some beastly traits—notably, tiger’s teeth and a leopard’s tail. Xiwangmu is often depicted wearing a headdress that she uses to hide her wild, untamed hair.

Mythology

Xiwangmu is the highest ranking and most powerful female deity in the Chinese pantheon. She determines the lifespan of every living being, tends to the Peaches of Immortality, and manipulates the occurrences of major calamities, among other duties.

Because Xiwangmu’s story is so ancient, her origins as a deity are unclear. In early Chinese dynasties, Xiwangmu was seen as a demonic figure who caused floods, disease, and other major disasters. Popular opinion around Xiwangmu began to change around the time of the Tang Dynasty, however. Following this shift, she was seen as a repentant, benevolent goddess.

Interactions with Human Emperors

Xiwangmu is the only deity in the entire Chinese pantheon with the ability to talk directly to humans. Her peach tree, with its long roots and tall branches, serves as an intermediary between earth and heaven. Xiwangmu would not speak to just anyone, however. When she did speak to humans, Xiwangmu would speak exclusively to Chinese emperors in order to give them the Mandate of Heaven and teach them the secrets of immortality.<ref>[https://mythopedia.com/topics/xiwangmu/ Xiwangmu