"Fox Fairy Hall of Celestial Masters – The Legend of Fox Spirit Lady"
The term "Fox Spirit lady" refers to foxes in Chinese folklore. The belief in fox spirits dates back to ancient times, with legends suggesting that even during the Xia Dynasty, the legendary figure Yu the Great married a nine-tailed white fox, the daughter of Tu Shan, giving birth to the first ruler of the Xia Dynasty, Qi. This story illustrates that the Chinese people revered foxes as auspicious animals as far back as 5,000 years ago.
Commonly, foxes are believed to possess spiritual qualities and the ability to engage in supernatural activities. They are thought to have the power to become spirits or even immortals. Fox spirits are considered proficient in Taoist arts, capable of granting blessings and seeking retribution, assisting in romantic matters, and sometimes playing pranks on people. They are also believed to have the ability to heal various ailments.
In the past, there was a temple known as the "San Taiye"(the Third Lord) in Tianjin, Hebei. Within the Temple of the Heavenly Queen, there were statues of "Hu San Taiye" (the Third Lord Fox), and devotees would visit to offer incense and pay their respects. People often attributed to foxes clever, lovable characters and imagined them as kind, romantic women in both folktales and literary works, commonly referred to as "fox spirits." However, some would negatively label "fox spirits" as cunning women who seduce men.
Fox spirits were initially seen as auspicious beings. When discussing their ancestors, they had a far more glorious history. Fox spirits made significant contributions to the establishment of the first Chinese dynasty, the Xia Dynasty. Yu the Great, who was responsible for flood control, once encountered a nine-tailed white fox in the region of Tu Shan. Enchanted by the fox, he married it and had a child with her.
Later, various local temples claimed that Tu Shan was located in their region and competed to establish connections with fox spirits. During the Han Dynasty, foxes were highly revered, similar to dragons, qilins, and phoenixes, possibly because the people of that era enjoyed associating with immortals. Some people even listed the three virtues of foxes: soft fur, in line with the principles of the Golden Mean; small in front and big in the back, adhering to the hierarchy; and, when they die, their heads face their dens, never forgetting their roots.
The process of fox spirit cultivation is quite similar to human spiritual cultivation, with different levels of attainment. The highest level involves absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, cultivating a golden core within, and eventually achieving transcendence. However, this path requires immense wisdom and a profound connection. The next level involves parasitic cultivation, where fox spirits utilize humans to aid their cultivation. This often results in harm to humans and divine retribution. The third level involves fox spirits absorbing the breath of sleeping humans, much like bees collecting honey. In this case, they benefit from the cultivation process without harming humans.
As for what is known as the "Fox Fairy Lady" in Taoism, this traces back to the Song Dynasty.
Legend has it that during the Southern Song Shao Ding era, Jiangxi was struck by a severe flood. After the flood, a plague broke out. Many people in the three counties of Zi Xi, Li Chun, and An Ren (now Yu Jiang) fell victim to the plague, causing widespread panic. Zhang Ke, known as the Great Celestial Master, was well-versed in the art of healing. He identified the ideal remedy for the disease as the "Hanging Orchid," which grew on the cliffs and caves. However, it was challenging to climb and collect these orchids. Suddenly, a large group of foxes leaped gracefully through the air, each one carrying a "Hanging Orchid" in its mouth, which they presented to the Great Celestial Master.
Over forty years later, there was a change of dynasty as Kublai Khan unified China. In one particular year, the northern region experienced severe drought, leading to a famine. It is said that it was the guidance of fox spirits that helped the people through this crisis. Following these events, Zhang the Celestial Master petitioned the Heavenly Court to confer the title of "Fox Fairy Lady" upon the fox spirits, granting them authority over human relations, nobility, love, romance, and the granting of wishes.
This is the legend of Fox Fairy Lady, and I kindly ask everyone to share and treasure it!
