Divine negotiation exploring the praxis of the Zhunti Cult in late Imperial China through Li Yu’s Wusheng xi (silent operas) / Lei Tianyu 雷天宇

Monumenta Serica, Volume 74, Issue 1 (2026), pages 97-114

Available thorugh

Taylor & Francis

Abstract

As a widely venerated goddess in late imperial China, the essence of the Zhunti (Cundī) cult is intricately woven into devotional observances. However, existing research on the cult of Zhunti has been limited in scope, primarily focusing on the “thought” aspect while neglecting the vital element of “activity.” Even the few available studies exploring the “activity” component have been confined to official and prescriptive sources. To address this scholarly gap, the present study endeavors to draw upon descriptive sources to present a nuanced and contextualized portrayal of the Zhunti cult’s praxis. Of particular significance in this investigation is a humorous tale from Li Yu’s (1611–1680) collection of short stories Wusheng xi (Silent Operas), which amusingly depicts a utilitarian devotee's negotiation with the goddess Zhunti for the boon of sons, serving as a compelling and pertinent source for elucidating the practical aspects of the Zhunti cult.