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Description

Shuimu, known as Shuimu Niangniang, is a fascinating figure in Chinese mythology with roots in Buddhist and Taoist traditions. She is often regarded as a water demon, spirit, or witch, and holds a unique position as the youngest sister of the transcendent White Elephant, who serves as the gate-warder for Buddha.
Legend has it that Shuimu played a significant role in the submergence of Sizhou, an ancient Chinese city located in present-day Anhui Province, beneath the waters of Hongze Lake in the year 1574 A.D. As the tale goes, she is currently sealed at the base of a mountain in Xuyi District, adding an air of mystique to her story.
However, it is important to note that different regions in China have their own variations of the Shuimu legend. In Suzhou, Anhui, she may be revered as a demon goddess, while in Taiyuan, Shanxi, she is believed to have been a woman bestowed with a magical whip by an elderly man.
The name "Shuimu" itself carries symbolic meaning in Mandarin, with "Shui" representing 'water,' "mu" translating to 'mother,' and "niangniang" potentially denoting a goddess. Other epithets attributed to Shuimu include The Old Mother of Waters, Fountain Goddess, and Sea Goddess, further emphasizing her association with water and its elemental power.
The diverse tales surrounding Shuimu showcase the richness and regional variations within Chinese folklore, highlighting the multiplicity of beliefs and interpretations across different parts of the country.

Description

Shuimu, known as Shuimu Niangniang, is a fascinating figure in Chinese mythology with roots in Buddhist and Taoist traditions. She is often regarded as a water demon, spirit, or witch, and holds a unique position as the youngest sister of the transcendent White Elephant, who serves as the gate-warder for Buddha.
Legend has it that Shuimu played a significant role in the submergence of Sizhou, an ancient Chinese city located in present-day Anhui Province, beneath the waters of Hongze Lake in the year 1574 A.D. As the tale goes, she is currently sealed at the base of a mountain in Xuyi District, adding an air of mystique to her story.
However, it is important to note that different regions in China have their own variations of the Shuimu legend. In Suzhou, Anhui, she may be revered as a demon goddess, while in Taiyuan, Shanxi, she is believed to have been a woman bestowed with a magical whip by an elderly man.
The name "Shuimu" itself carries symbolic meaning in Mandarin, with "Shui" representing 'water,' "mu" translating to 'mother,' and "niangniang" potentially denoting a goddess. Other epithets attributed to Shuimu include The Old Mother of Waters, Fountain Goddess, and Sea Goddess, further emphasizing her association with water and its elemental power.
The diverse tales surrounding Shuimu showcase the richness and regional variations within Chinese folklore, highlighting the multiplicity of beliefs and interpretations across different parts of the country.