Baishe Niangniang

Baishe Niangniang
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Short description: Character in the Legend of the White Snake

Baishe Niangniang (Chinese: 白蛇娘娘), formerly known as Bai Suzhen (Chinese: 白素贞), is a goddess in Chinese folk religion.^[1] Before becoming a deity, she was a thousand-year-old white snake spirit who received the essences of the sun and moon.^[2]

Bai Suzhen is the main character of the "Legend of the White Snake", one of China's four greatest folk tales. It has been adapted many times, including into Chinese operas, films, television series and other media.^[3]^[4]

Legend

After one thousand years of disciplined training in Taoism on Mount Emei, the white snake, Bai Suzhen, is transformed into a woman by the essence of the Dragon King of the East China Sea. She decides to go out into the human world and do good deeds in order to become immortal. She is later accepted by the goddess Lishan Laomu as a disciple.^[2]^[5]

On a visit to West Lake, she falls in love with a young man named Xu Xian and soon becomes his wife. Eventually, however, a Buddhist monk, Abbot Fahai, discovers her true origin and compels her to fight for both her marriage and her freedom. At last he tracks down the couple, defeats Bai Suzhen and imprisons her in the imposing Leifeng Pagoda. She is finally freed from the pagoda when her son's filial piety moves Heaven.^[2]

In some versions, after her imprisonment she is transformed into the goddess Yaotai Laomu's mount. She goes on to accompany Yaotai Laomu for many years as they attempt to help all living beings and save the world.^[6]

Worship

Statutes in the White Snake Temple

Bai Suzhen is worshipped as a deity in Chinese folk religion, where she is also known as Baishe Niangniang.^[7] It is said that she and Xu Xian once practiced Chinese medicine and that believers came to them seeking healing and health advice. In Taoyuan City, Yangmei District, Taiwan, the White Snake Temple (zh) was built in 1991 and dedicated to her.^[8]^[9]The temple inaugurated the annual Dragon Boat Festival to celebrate the birthday of Baishe Niangniang, and it has become a traditional and popular event.^[10]^[11]