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Unknown Maker
Xi Wangmu (Queen Mother of the West) Xi Wangmu (Queen Mother of the West)
no date no date

Xi Wangmu is the most powerful woman spirit in the Chinese pantheon and represents the spirit of pure yin — the embodiment of feminine, wild and untameable energy. She has control over all life, death, creation, and destruction. Xi Wangmu is often associated with tigers (as can be seen from the insignia on her stomach) and is believed to have had tiger’s teeth and a panther’s (or by some accounts a leopard’s) tail. Xi Wangmu is still very popular and is believed to control health and fertility, so the celebration of her holiday on the autumn equinox each year is widespread. She is also a popular icon amongst feminist women due to her rebellious streak, strength and independent spirit. Unfortunately, this figure is missing its left hand and the item that was held in its right, so it is unknown what she was intended to be holding. Commonly, she holds an item of prosperity such as a scepter in one hand and a peach of immortality or a fan in the other.

Unknown Maker
Xi Wangmu (Queen Mother of the West) Xi Wangmu (Queen Mother of the West)
no date no date
wood, paint, gilt wood, paint, gilt
height / width / depth: 24.50 x 14.00 x 12.00 cm; 9.65 x 5.51 x 4.72 in.
Gift of Rev. G. L. MacKay Gift of Rev. G. L. MacKay
M77-378

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