At the point where the Yellow River meets the Fenhe River in Wanrong County lies the Houtu Temple, dedicated to the veneration and rituals associated with Houtu, the Earth Goddess, revered in Chinese tradition. Claimed to be the “oldest temple in the nation,” Houtu Temple symbolizes the very beginnings of Chinese identity and culture. It serves as a critical historical link for the Chinese diaspora around the world, providing substantial evidence of the enduring nature of Chinese civilization.
In ancient China’s matriarchal society, the term “Hou” denoted the clan or tribal leader, embodying authority over important decisions within the group, while “Tu” translates to land. According to “The Legend of Kuixiao,” land is equated with motherhood, highlighting the shared attributes of life-giving and nurturing associated with both. Consequently, “Houtu” signifies the paramount female leader in this historical context. Recent scholarly work suggests that Houtu may indeed represent Nüwa, a goddess known in Chinese mythology as the creator of humanity and a notable leader in matriarchal societies. Nüwa developed the marriage system, expanded the human population, devised the Sheng Huang (a traditional wind instrument), and introduced music and dance, contributing significantly to the inception of Chinese civilization around 10,000 years ago. She is often revered as the supreme ruler of the earth and the primordial ancestor of the Chinese people, adorning her with titles such as “Empress of the Earth” and “Empress of Nüwa.”
Five millennia ago, the Yellow Emperor unified China after defeating Chiyou at the Zhuolu battle. Driven by a strong sense of ancestral reverence, he conducted rituals atop a plateau in Miaoqian Village, Fenyin County—an area tied with Nüwa’s legacy of procreation. This pivotal moment initiated the most substantial and enduring traditions of worshipping Houtu in Chinese history. From that point forward, formal sacrifices to Houtu took place, with the Han Dynasty establishing these rituals as a national institution, stipulating observance every three years alongside renovations of Tai Mountains every five years. The ceremonial practices expanded during the Tang Dynasty and reached their zenith in the Song Dynasty. Within a few dynasties, eight emperors visited Wanrong to conduct sacrificial rites more than twenty occasions. Notable emperors such as Liu Che (Hanwu), Li Longji (Xuanzong of Tang), and Zhao Heng (Zhenzong of Song) documented their experiences and contributions, with Liu Che’s “The Song of the Autumn Wind” deemed an ageless classic, while Zhao Heng’s inscription “Reverence for the Two Saints” remains one of China’s renowned steles. The Ming and Qing Dynasties transitioned royal sacrificial events to the Tian-Di Tan (Temple of Heaven) in Beijing, later leading to the construction of Ditan, renaming the former in commemoration. Over the centuries, the emperors’ sacrifices to Houtu carried three primary purposes: homage for her role in creation and sustenance of humanity; supplication for favorable weather and prosperous harvests; and hope for a burgeoning population and national stability.
Traditionally, Houtu’s birthday is celebrated on the 18th day of the third lunar month, and for centuries, elaborate sacrificial rituals have marked this occasion. In recent years, an increasing number of participants from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and the wider diaspora have converged to form “ancestor worship groups,” conducting ceremonies at Houtu Temple. Each year, the scale of spring ceremonies has grown, peaking with an assembly of up to 30,000 participants in some instances. The 2003 Grand Global Sacrificial Ritual epitomized this enduring tradition, uniting Chinese communities worldwide in honoring their common ancestor. The incense rising before Houtu’s statue symbolizes the profound longing of the Chinese people for their ancestral roots.
The Houtu culture represents not only the foundation and source of Chinese civilization but also encapsulates the heart and essence of national culture. Exuding a unique attraction and unifying force, it inspires the global Chinese community to persistently work towards the unity and revival of their heritage.
