we begin a new journey to learn more about the history of
taoism
and the artwork generated by its message
thank you to the Art Institute of Chicago Taoism in Art exhibit and
lessons
The
Dipper Mother
Legend has it that many ages ago, a great queen vowed to give birth to
children who would help to guide the movements of the Tao. One fine
spring day, she disrobed and entered a pool to bathe. Suddenly, she
felt "moved," and nine lotus buds rose from the pond. The lotus, a
symbol borrowed from Buddhism, signifies purity and spiritual
enlightenment since it rises from the mud (representing the physical
impurities of the world) to become a brilliant flower. Each of these
lotus buds opened to reveal a star, including the seven stars of the
Northern Dipper (Big Dipper), one of the most important constellations
in Taoism. Subsequently, this queen was deified, becoming known as the
"Dipper Mother."
This porcelain sculpture of the Dipper Mother
depicts her as a heavenly goddess holding the sun and moon in her
upraised hands. Her remaining 16 hands grasp various ritual implements
and weapons.
Like the Saintly Mother, Heavenly Immortal of
the Eastern Peak, the Dipper Mother rose to prominence in the Ming
dynasty. She is still worshiped today in special halls devoted to her
at Taoist temples like the White Cloud Monastery, head of the Complete
Realization sect in Beijing.
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