Overview

In Chinese folklore, Nüwa is revered as the first being capable of creation, regarded as the progenitor of humanity. In a society historically characterized by strong matriarchal elements, Nüwa’s role as the maternal figure was pivotal. She plays a significant part in numerous myths, notably the creation narrative and the restoration of the heavens following a calamitous flood. Today, Nüwa remains a favored deity, particularly amongst women seeking divine intervention in marital or fertility matters. Artistically, she is often portrayed with a human face atop a long serpent-like body, though she may also appear simply as a woman dressed in traditional hanfu attire.

Etymology

The name Nüwa (女媧) comprises the character for “woman,” nǚ (女), alongside a distinct character, wā (媧). This name can also be represented in various romanizations, such as Nü Gua or Nü Kua. Furthermore, Nüwa is sometimes respectfully referred to as wā huáng (媧皇), meaning “Empress Huang.”

Family

Nüwa’s lineage includes her mother, the goddess Huaxu (华胥), who became pregnant unexpectedly after stepping into a footprint left by Leigong (雷公), the thunder god. She is wed to her brother Fuxi (伏羲), who is credited in some tales with the creation of humanity alongside Nüwa. Fuxi is also considered the inventor of hunting, culinary arts, and the Chinese writing system.

Family Tree

• Parents
  • Mother: Huaxu
• Siblings
  • Brother: Fuxi
• Consorts
  • Husband: Fuxi

Mythology

Chinese creation myths prominently feature two leading narratives. The most prevalent story describes how Nüwa shaped mankind from river clay.

The People of Clay

After Pangu (盤古) emerged from his cosmic egg and brought forth the universe, Earth evolved into a breathtaking realm filled with greenery, rivers, towering mountains, and a multitude of animals. During a tranquil stroll through this pristine landscape, Nüwa felt an overwhelming sense of solitude. Realizing that her surroundings, while stunning, lacked companionship, she paused by a riverbank and began molding figures from the mud.

Initially, she sculpted simple shapes like chickens and sheep, but soon grew weary of them. Gazing at her reflection in the water, a new idea took form: she would create figures resembling herself. She worked tirelessly, shaping the clay into humans (人) complete with features and limbs. To her delight, when she placed her creations on the ground, they began to move and interact with her. As enthusiasm consumed her, Nüwa continued molding clay figures until her hands grew sore. Using a rope to create additional figures, it is said that those born of her own hands became the noble class, while the common people were formed from the rope.

The Marriage

In an alternative version of creation, a catastrophic flood annihilated humanity, leaving Nüwa and her brother Fuxi as the only survivors. After the waters receded, they realized their obligation to reproduce for the species’ continuation, yet were troubled by the reality of their sibling bond. Seeking divine guidance, they prayed together.

They decided to undergo a divination test: each would ascend a separate mountain and light a fire. If the smoke rose straight up, it would signal they should not marry; if the smoke intertwined, it would indicate they were destined to unite and procreate. The smoke intertwined, leading Fuxi and Nüwa to marry and repopulate the Earth.

Mending the Pillars of Heaven

The world at the time of the first beings was very different from today. The Earth was in its infancy, held up by four immense pillars. A fierce clash erupted between Gonggong (龔工), the water god, and Zhurong (祝融), the fire god, which culminated in chaos and devastation. Following Gonggong’s defeat, he lashed out, striking Buzhou mountain, one of the four supporting pillars, causing it to collapse and creating a gaping hole in the heavens.

As turmoil ensued—floods and fire ravaging the land—Nüwa took action. She sought out Ao, the sky turtle, and implored him to aid her. The turtle complied, sacrificing its own legs. Nüwa melted together five colored stones to repair the ruptured sky, using Ao’s legs to restore the crumbled pillars while propping up the sky with her own back. The ancient historian Sima Qian (司馬遷) chronicled her significant contributions, noting her exhaustion and ultimate sacrifice in mending the heavens.

Despite her efforts, the sky and earth never quite returned to their prior alignment, which is said to explain the southeastern flow of Chinese rivers.

Pop Culture

Even amidst shifts in traditional religious beliefs throughout the Cultural Revolution, Nüwa remains a vital cultural figure. Many temples honoring Nüwa and Fuxi dot the Chinese-speaking world, with the most significant temple located in Hebei Province, viewed as a national shrine. Beyond her religious significance, Nüwa has appeared in various video games, showcasing her lasting influence in contemporary culture.