Legend of Three Gorges – Goddess Leizu

A Brief Introduction to Goddess Leizu

Leizu was the daughter of Xiling family. She created the skill of silkworm breeding.

In the culture of the Chinese central plains, one popular viewpoint holds that Qiao sisters were the chief wives of Yellow Emperor. But there is also another perspective that the chief wife of Yellow Emperor is Leizu. And this point can even be found in the great work-Shih Chi (a historical book written by Sima Qian).

Of course, people in Three Gorges area agree with the latter point of view, because apart from the records in Shih Chi, there are also many legends about it popular in Three Gorges area.

Legend of Goddess Leizu

It is said that in one spring, the girl Leizu was breeding the silkworms in the mulberry field on the Xiling Mountain of the Xiling Gorge. At that time, the Yellow Emperor passed here, leading his troops. The Yellow Emperor found her wearing colorful silk clothes, giving out soft and wild light. He was quite curious, for that other people at that time wear clothes made of grasses or animals' furs. So the Yellow Emperor walked straight up to Leizu and asked what she was wearing. Leizu said it was silk.

Yellow Emperor thought that it was a great invention and so he determined to take Leizu away. Coincidentally, Leizu fell in love with this young and handsome emperor at the first sight, and she was willing to marry Yellow Emperor, too. So she made up her mind to go with Yellow Emperor.

However, Leizu and Yellow Emperor were encircled, pursued, obstructed by the local people. On their way of escaping, they once hid in a cave of Huangniu Rock. And that cave is today's Xuanyuan Cave of Huangniu Gorge in Three Gorges area.

There is also another saying in the Three Gorges area, that is, the emperor is the nephew of people in Three Gorges area. This common saying reflected from the aspect of folk lore that Leizu was the chief wife of Yellow Emperor. Today, there is a Leiau Temple on the Xiling Mountain in honor of the mother of silk-breeding skills.