Yu Shiqie

Yu Shiqie (Chinese: 雨师妾; lit. 'Rain Master Consort') is a Chinese spirit or goddess of rain. She appears in the Classic of Mountains and Seas as the leader of a country called Yushi (雨师国); her "name" is a title indicating that she is the consort of Yu Shi.[1][2][3][4]

Legend

According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, it is recorded: "The Consort of the Rain Master resides in the north. She has a dark complexion and holds a snake in each hand. She has a green snake in her left ear and a red snake in her right ear, and holds a turtle in each hand".[1][5]

According to the legend, she was originally the ruler of the Yushi Kingdom in the East Sea. Because of her ability to control dragons, she was also known as the "Dragon Maiden".[1]

However, the legends surrounding the Consort of the Rain Master go beyond her being recognized as the most beautiful woman of ancient times. Some believe that the Consort of the Rain Master does not refer to an individual alone. It is believed that Yu Shique represents a nation or a group of people. Haoyi's commentary in Shanhai jing states, "Yu Shique is also the name of a country, Yushi. The ruler of the Yushi Kingdom possessed great skill in controlling dragons".[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Classic of Mountains and Seas, "Beyond the Seas - East"; quote: "雨師妾在其北，其為人黑，兩手各操一蛇，左耳有青蛇，右耳有赤蛇。一曰在十日北，為人黑身人面，各操一龜。" translation: "The Rain Master's Concubine is to the north of [the Fusang tree (扶桑) and the Hot-Water Dale (湯谷)]; her body is black, each of her two hands holds a snake; on her left ear is a green snake, and on her right ear a red snake. Another says that to the north of the ten suns, there is a black-bodied, human-faced person, whose each [hand] holds a turtle."
  2. ↑ "大荒第一美女的雨师妾，她的能力是现在亿万女性梦寐以求的技能！". Sina (in Chinese). 6 October 2019.
  3. ↑ 古本山海经图说 (in Chinese). 山東畫報出版社. 2001. ISBN 978-7-80603-521-4.
  4. ↑ 中国民间俗神 (in Chinese). 云南人民出版社. 2003. ISBN 978-7-222-03631-4.
  5. ↑ "山海经：雨师妾就是雨师小妾？他是毕星、玄冥、屏翳还是共工之子". 简书 (in Chinese). 5 August 2019.


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