In Chinese mythology and legend, the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother of the West are two highly revered female deities. However, although they are both called "Queen Mother", there are some differences between them.
First of all, the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother of the West differ in origin. The Queen Mother is a native Chinese mythological figure, considered to be the head of the fairies, and is a figure in myths and legends. The Queen Mother of the West originated from Western culture and was introduced to China during the Han Dynasty, so it is also known as the "Queen Mother of the West".
Secondly, the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother of the West are also different in image. The Queen Mother is often depicted as a beautiful goddess with long hair, ornate garments, and often surrounded by cranes. The Queen Mother of the West, on the other hand, is usually depicted as a noblewoman, dressed in an ornate gown, wearing a crown on her head, and often surrounded by mythical beasts.
In addition, the roles of the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother of the West in myths and legends are also different. The Queen Mother is often seen in mythology as a goddess who is in charge of the elixir of life and the leader of the fairies. The Queen Mother of the West is often seen as a goddess of fate and punishment, as well as the patron saint of Huashan.
In addition, the status of the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother of the West in folk beliefs is also different. The Queen Mother is highly respected in folk beliefs and is regarded as a benevolent goddess, and many places have temples and rituals dedicated to her. And the status of the Queen Mother of the West in folk beliefs is relatively low, although there are some places to worship her, but her influence is relatively small.
In general, although both the Queen Mother and the Western Queen Mother are referred to as "Queen Mother", there are clear differences between them in terms of origin, image, role, and status in folk beliefs.
Queen Mother