Jinling Shengmu

Jinling Shengmu  is a character in the 16th-century Chinese novel, Fengshen Yanyi, which is also known as The Investiture of the Gods.

Legend
In Fengshen Yanyi, Jinling Shengmu is one of the four chief disciples of Tongtian Jiaozhu. She is said to be more powerful than the Twelve Golden Immortals of Chanjiao. Jinling Shengmu has two disciples: Wen Zhong and Yu Yuan.

During the Battle of the Ten Thousand Immortals, she defeated Princess Longji and Hong Jin, and she faced off against the three great immortals: Wenshu Guangfa Tianzun, Puxian Zhenren, and Cihang Zhenren. Although she emerged victorious in her battle against the great immortals, she ultimately met her demise at the hands of the powerful weapon, Dinghai Shenzhu, wielded by Randeng Daoren.

She was appointed as the God of Kangong Doumu, the head of Ziwei Zhizun (紫薇之尊), who has 84,000 stars and spirits under her command. Her position is of great importance and high rank in heaven. She is in charge of Jin Que, resides in the Dou Mansion, and holds the highest position among the places in Zhou Tian. In the esoteric teachings of Taoism, she is identified as the same as Doumu.

Worship
Jinling Shengmu is one of the principal deities in the village of Molangfang in Haidong, Tian Dalishi. She is venerated as the goddess of fertility in this village, and her attire is adorned with myriad characters. Scholars consider these characters to be a clear symbol of fertility, signifying the community's prayers for abundant and prosperous life.