Jinling Shengmu () is a character in the 16th-century Chinese novel, ''

Fengshen Yanyi ''The Investiture of the Gods'', also known by its Chinese titles () and is a 16th-century Chinese novel and one of the major vernacular Chinese works in the gods and demons (''shenmo'') genre written during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Co ...

'', which is also known as ''The Investiture of the Gods''.

Legend

In ''

'', Jinling Shengmu is one of the four chief disciples of

Tongtian Jiaozhu Tongtian Jiaozhu (通天教主) or sometimes translated as ''Grandmaster of Heaven'' is the third disciple of Hongjun Laozu and younger brother of Yuanshi Tianzun and Taishang Laojun. He has appeared as an antagonist in many legends, classic nov ...

. She is said to be more powerful than the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chanjiao. Jinling Shengmu has two disciples:

Wen Zhong Wen Zhong () (died 472 BC) was an advisor in the state of Yue in the Spring and Autumn period. He was a native of Ying in the State of Chu. After Yue was defeated by the state of Wu in 494 BC, Wen Zhong bribed Bo Pi, the advisor to the leade ...

and

Yu Yuan Yu Garden or Yuyuan Garden (, Shanghainese ''Yuyoe'' , lit. ''Garden of Happiness'') is an extensive Chinese garden located beside the City God Temple in the northeast of the Old City of Shanghai at Huangpu District, Shanghai. It abuts the Yuy ...

. During the Battle of the Ten Thousand Immortals, she defeated Princess Longji and

Hong Jin Hong Chin (; 27 August 1877 – 9 September 1946), also known as Hong Myŏnhŭi (), was a leader of the Korean independence movement. He is also sometimes known by his art name Mano (), and his Christian name, Andre. He was born in the Joseon p ...

, and she faced off against the three great immortals:

Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun () is a Taoist deity and character in the classic Chinese novel ''Investiture of the Gods'' (more commonly known as ''Fengshen Yanyi''). He is a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun and one of the Three Great Immortals, holding the f ...

, Puxian Zhenren, and Cihang Zhenren. Although she emerged victorious in her battle against the great immortals, she ultimately met her demise at the hands of the powerful weapon, Dinghai Shenzhu, wielded by

Randeng Daoren Randeng Daoren () is a character in the famed classic Chinese novel ''Fengshen Yanyi''. He was renowned as the Superiorman of Mount Condor, Intuition Cave. His role originated from Dipankara Buddha of Buddhist lore, who was a past enlightened bein ...

. She was appointed as the God of Kangong Doumu, the head of Ziwei Zhizun (), who has 84,000 stars and spirits under her command. Her position is of great importance and high rank in heaven. She is in charge of Jin Que, resides in the Dou Mansion, and holds the highest position among the places in Zhou Tian. In the esoteric teachings of Taoism, she is identified as the same as

Doumu Dǒumǔ (), also known as , and , is a goddess in Chinese religion and Taoism. She is also named through the honorific Tiānhòu ( "Queen of Heaven"), shared with other Chinese goddesses, especially Mazu, who are perhaps conceived as her aspect ...

Worship

Jinling Shengmu is one of the principal deities in the village of Molangfang in

Haidong Haidong ( zh, s=海东市, p=Hǎidōng shì) is a prefecture-level city of Qinghai province in Western China. Its name literally means "east of the (Qinghai) Lake." On 8 February 2013 Haidong was upgraded from a prefecture ( zh, labels=no , s=� ...

, Tian Dalishi. She is venerated as the goddess of fertility in this village, and her attire is adorned with myriad characters. Scholars consider these characters to be a clear symbol of fertility, signifying the community's prayers for abundant and prosperous life.

References

{{Fengshen Yanyi Chinese goddesses Taoist deities Investiture of the Gods characters