Contents

Illustrations

Dynasties and Rulers Through the Mid-Tang

Wu Zhao’s Titles at Different Stages of Her Career

Reign Eras from 655 to 705

Acknowledgments

Introduction:

Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Female Political Ancestors

PART I

GODDESSES OF ANTIQUITY

ONE

Wu Zhao as the Late Seventh-Century Avatar of Primordial Goddess Nüwa

TWO

Sanctifying Luoyang: The Luo River Goddess and Wu Zhao

THREE

First Ladies of Sericulture: Wu Zhao and Leizu

PART II

DYNASTIC MOTHERS, EXEMPLARY MOTHERS

FOUR

The Mother of Qi and Wu Zhao: Connecting to Antiquity, Elevating Mount Song

FIVE

Ur-Mothers Birthing the Zhou Line: Jiang Yuan and Wu Zhao

SIX

Wenmu and Wu Zhao: Two Mothers of Zhou

SEVEN

Four Exemplary Women in Wu Zhao’s Regulations for Ministers

PART III

DRAWING ON THE NUMINOUS ENERGIES OF FEMALE DAOIST DIVINITIES

EIGHT

The Queen Mother of the West and Wu Zhao

NINE

The Mother of Laozi and Wu Zhao: From One Grand Dowager to Another

TEN

Rejected from the Pantheon: The Ill-Timed Rise of the Cult of Wei Huacun

PART IV

BUDDHIST DEVIS AND GODDESSES

ELEVEN

Dharma Echoes of Mother Māyā in Wu Zhao

TWELVE

Bodhisattva with a Female Body: Wu Zhao and Devi Jingguang

Conclusions

Appendix: Wu Zhao’s Pantheon of Female Political Ancestors

Glossary of Chinese Places, Names, and Terms

Notes

Bibliography

Index