List of Illustrations
Dynasties and Rulers Through the Mid-Tang
Wu Zhao's Titles at Different Stages of Her Career
Reign Eras from 655 to 705
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Female Political Ancestors
I. Goddesses of Antiquity
1. Wu Zhao as the Late Seventh-Century Avatar of Primordial Goddess Nüwa
2. Sanctifying Luoyang: The Luo River Goddess and Wu Zhao
3. First Ladies of Sericulture: Wu Zhao and Leizu
II. Dynastic Mothers, Exemplary Mothers
4. The Mother of Qi and Wu Zhao: Connecting to Antiquity, Elevating Mount Song
5. Ur-Mothers Birthing the Zhou Line: Jiang Yuan and Wu Zhao
6. Wenmu and Wu Zhao: Two Mothers of Zhou
7. Four Exemplary Women in Wu Zhao's Regulations for Ministers
III. Drawing the Numinous Energies of Female Daoist Divinities
8. The Queen Mother of the West and Wu Zhao
9. The Mother of Laozi and Wu Zhao: From One Grand Dowager to Another
10. Rejected from the Pantheon: The Ill-Timed Rise of the Cult of Wei Huacun
IV. Buddhist Devis and Goddesses
11. Dharma Echoes of Mother Maya in Wu Zhao
12. Bodhisattva with a Female Body: Wu Zhao and Devi Jingguang
Conclusions
Appendix: Wu Zhao's Pantheon of Female Political Ancestors
Glossary of Chinese Places, Names, and Terms
Notes
Bibliography
Index
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