Bai Suzhen

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"Madam White Snake" redirects here. For other uses, see Madam White Snake (disambiguation).

Bai Suzhen
MG 9242 (14863892825).jpg
Bai Suzhen as depicted by a performer in Beijing Opera
Traditional Chinese白素貞
Simplified Chinese白素贞
Lady Bai
Chinese白娘子
Madam White Snake
Chinese白蛇娘娘

Bai Suzhen, also known as Lady Bai, is a mythological figure in Chinese folk religion.[1] She is a one-thousand-year-old white snake spirit and the title character of the Legend of the White Snake, one of China's "four great folktales".[2] The legend has been adapted into several Chinese operas, films, television series and other media.[3][4] In some versions of the legend, Bai Suzhen becomes a goddess; she is known as Madam White Snake by her worshippers.

Legend[]

Main article: Legend of the White Snake

After one thousand years of disciplined training in Taoism on Mount Emei, the white snake, Bai Suzhen, is transformed into a woman by the essence of the Dragon King of the East China Sea. She decides to go out into the human world and do good deeds in order to become immortal. She is later accepted by the goddess Lishan Laomu as a disciple.[2][5]

On a visit to West Lake, she falls in love with a young man named Xu Xian and soon becomes his wife. Eventually, however, a Buddhist monk, Abbot Fahai, discovers her true origin and compels her to fight for both her marriage and her freedom. At last he tracks down the couple, defeats Bai Suzhen and imprisons her in the imposing Leifeng Pagoda. She is finally freed from the pagoda when her son's filial piety moves Heaven.[2]

In some versions, after her imprisonment she is transformed into the goddess 's mount. She goes on to accompany Yaotai Laomu for many years as they attempt to help all living beings and save the world.[6]

Worship[]

Statutes in the White Snake Temple

Bai Suzhen is worshipped as a deity in Chinese folk religion, where she is known as Madam White Snake.[7] It is said that she and Xu Xian once practiced Chinese medicine and that believers came to them seeking healing and health advice. In Taoyuan City, Yangmei District, Taiwan, the  [zh] was built in 1991 and dedicated to her.[8][9] The temple inaugurated the annual Dragon Boat Festival to celebrate the birthday of Madam White Snake, and it has become a traditional and popular event.[10][11]

Influence[]

Further information: List of media adaptations of the Legend of the White Snake

Gallery[]

  • A wood relief decoration in the Leifeng Tower, Hangzhou

  • Hand-carved 3D wood reliefs depicting the story of Bai Suzhen

  • Image from the Summer Palace, Beijing, China, depicting the legend

  • White Snake Temple in Taiwan

  • Statutes in the White Snake Temple

  • Bai Suzhen in an opera portraying the legend

  • Statutes of the three protagonists in the Peking Opera.

References[]

  1. ^ "杨梅白蛇庙 全台唯一供奉白娘子 - 生活". 中时新闻网 (in Chinese). 1 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "9 Powerful Snakes from History and Mythology". www.history.com. The History Channel.
  3. ^ "This Old tale still resonates today to a modern audience". China Daily. 10 April 2019.
  4. ^ "'The Legend of White Snake' is distributed in North America, Western Europe and widely across Oceania". SHINE. 4 April 2019.
  5. ^ "'The Legend of the White Snake, Chinese Mélusine Story'". Medievalists.net. 5 November 2017.
  6. ^ "桃園白蛇廟 白蛇佑眾生 - 焦點". 自由時報電子報 (in Chinese). 13 February 2013.
  7. ^ "全台唯一白蛇廟 ���龍年到香火盛│TVBS新聞網". TVBS (in Chinese). 26 January 2013.
  8. ^ "直播:白蛇庙供白娘子养白蛇,300条!_ING现场-梨视频官网-Pear Video". Pear Live (in Chinese).
  9. ^ "全國唯一白蛇廟 端午「披掛白蛇」求好運 - 生活". 自由時報電子報 (in Chinese). 21 June 2020.
  10. ^ "向白娘娘賀壽 楊梅白蛇廟端午祈福 - 地方". 自由時報電子報 (in Chinese). 2 December 2020.
  11. ^ "白娘娘". wsm.org.tw (in Chinese).
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