Ping Sien Si - 033 Yun xiao niang niang (15949411829)

Yunxiao Niangniang (), also known as Zhao Yunxiao, is a Chinese goddess of childbirth. She is the oldest of the Sanxiao Shengmu (Holy mothers of three skies, 三霄聖母) or Sanxiao Niangniang (Ladies of three stars, 三霄娘娘). Sanxiao Niangniang is also worshipped as the

household deity A household deity is a deity or spirit that protects the home, looking after the entire household or certain key members. It has been a common belief in paganism as well as in folklore across many parts of the world. Household deities fit int ...

toilet god A toilet god is a deity associated with latrines and toilets. Belief in toilet gods – a type of household deity – has been known from both modern and ancient cultures, ranging from Japan to ancient Rome. Such deities have been associated with h ...

. It is said "the kitchen god was in the kitchen and Sanxiao was in the cottage".

Legend

According to the ''

Investiture of the Gods ''The Investiture of the Gods'', also known by its Chinese names () and is a 16th-century Chinese novel and one of the major vernacular Chinese works in the gods and demons (''shenmo'') genre written during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Cons ...

'', Zhao Yunxiao is a female celestial aiding Grand Old Master

Wen Zhong Wen Zhong () (died 472 BC) was an advisor in the state of Yue in the Spring and Autumn period. He was a native of Ying in the State of Chu. After Yue was defeated by the state of Wu in 494 BC, Wen Zhong bribed Bo Pi, the advisor to the lead ...

. She is one of the three younger sisters of the God of wealth

Zhao Gongming Zhao Gongming (), also known as Zhao Gong Yuanshuai (), is the martial god of wealth in Chinese folk religion. Zhao Gongming is the most notable among various forms of Caishen, and his birthday is commemorated on the fifth day of the first lunar m ...

. The three sisters were killed when fighting

Jiang Ziya Jiang Ziya ( century BC – century BC), also known by several other names, was a Chinese noble who helped kings Wen and Wu of Zhou overthrow the Shang in ancient China. Following their victory at Muye, he continued to serve ...

. Later, they were appointed as deities. They are worshipped as deities controlling

smallpox Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by variola virus (often called smallpox virus) which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus. The last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in October 1977, and the World Health Organization (WHO) c ...

and children's diseases. Later on, she and her younger sisters

Zhao Qiongxiao Qiongxiao Niangniang (), also known as Zhao Qiongxiao, is a Chinese goddess of childbirth. She is the second of the Sanxiao Shengmu (Holy mothers of three skies, 三霄聖母) or Sanxiao Niangniang (Ladies of three stars, 三霄娘娘). Sanxiao ...

and

Zhao Bixiao Bixiao Niangniang (), also known as Zhao Bixiao, is a Chinese goddess of childbirth. She is the youngest of the Sanxiao Shengmu (Holy mothers of three skies, 三霄聖母) or Sanxiao Niangniang (Ladies of three stars, 三霄娘娘). Sanxiao Niang ...

were combined into three in one, known as

Zhusheng Niangniang Songzi Niangniang (, "The Maiden Who Brings Children"), also referred to in Taiwan as Zhusheng Niangniang (), is a Taoist fertility goddess. She has been identified with many historical figures. She is often depicted as Guan Yin herself in drawing ...

References

Childhood goddesses Chinese goddesses Investiture of the Gods characters Smallpox deities Toilet goddesses {{Deity-stub