Emperor Wu Zhao and her pantheon of devis, divinities, and dynastic mothers

Introduction: Wu Zhao and her pantheon of female political ancestors

Part I. The goddesses of antiquity

Wu Zhao as the late seventh-century avatar of primordial goddess Nüwa

Sanctifying Luoyang: the Luo River goddess and Wu Zhao

First ladies of sericulture: Wu Zhao and Leizu

Part II. Dynastic mothers, exemplary mothers

The mother of Qi and Wu Zhao: connecting to antiquity, elevating Mount Song

Ur-mothers birthing the Zhou line: Jiang Yuan and Wu Zhao

Wenmu and Wu Zhao: two mothers of Zhou

Four exemplary women in Wu Zhao's regulations for ministers

Part III. Drawing the numinous energies of female Daoist divinities

The Queen Mother of the West and Wu Zhao

The mother of Laozi and Wu Zhao: from one grand dowager to another

Rejected from the pantheon: the ill-timed rise of the cult of Wei Huacun

Part IV. Buddhist devis and goddesses

Dharma echoes of Mother My in Wu Zhao

Channeling pure radiance: Wu Zhao and Devi Jingguang

Conclusions

Appendix: Wu Zhao's pantheon of female political ancestors.