Transformation, Creation, Regeneration: From Silkworm Worship to Goddess Fantasies

In the myths, folklore, and rituals of silk in East Asia, the Silkworm Deity is often portrayed as a female figure, representing a unique expression of ecofeminism within Chinese culture. By integrating archaeological discoveries with historical texts, this article explores the cultural origins of the Silkworm Goddess. Employing a literary anthropology framework, the analysis draws on four key types of evidence: classical literature, excavated textual materials such as oracle bones and bronze inscriptions, folklore and ethnological references, and ancient artifacts. It delineates the cultural compilation process from the primal essence of the silkworm to the refined silk product, highlighting the central role female have played in this construction. Analysis reveals that the worship of the Silkworm Goddess extends far beyond the sericulture, encompassing fundamental religious and life beliefs related to the cycles of life and death. The transition of the Silkworm Goddess from a vibrant Mother Goddess to a specialized agricultural deity responsible for silk production raises critical feminist questions about female’s agency within political and economic structures. This article addresses these issues by analyzing the primitive religious ideologies inherent in the worship of the Silkworm Goddess and interpreting the manifestations of patriarchal cultural intrusion in her classical legends.