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Fairy Tale
The Origin of Wa Palace: Why Was Shexian Chosen?
Time：2025-07-09 09:06:58 Hit：2860
The Worship of Nüwa: A Sacred Legacy Rooted in Ancient China
The myth of Nüwa creating humankind originates from the matriarchal clan society period, during which female deities were widely revered. Throughout Chinese history, Nüwa has been honored both by the state and the common people as the ancestral goddess of humanity.
The discovery of the Cishan Culture—an early branch of the Yangshao Culture—provides significant archaeological evidence supporting the long-standing worship of Nüwa at Wa Palace (Wahuanggong) in Shexian County. In the 1990s, between Shimen and Xinqiao villages, located over ten li (about 5 kilometers) northwest of Wahuanggong, archaeologists unearthed Paleolithic artifacts dating back more than 500,000 years, as well as human habitation sites from over 100,000 years ago. These findings confirm that early humans lived in this area in ancient times.
The period from the late Western Han to the mid and late Eastern Han Dynasty marked the height of Nüwa worship, surpassing all previous eras in scale and influence, and profoundly shaping the direction of Chinese mythology. The Han Dynasty still retained many elements of matriarchal society, and Nüwa held a central place in religious rituals during this time.
It was during this era that Emperor Wen of Han (Liu Heng, 180 BCE – 157 BCE)—a ruler closely connected to Shexian—ascended the throne. Before becoming emperor, his fiefdom was located in Jinyang (present-day Taiyuan). On his journey to the capital Chang’an, he traveled along the Qingzhang River, passing through Shexian, where the river flows at the foot of Zhonghuang Mountain. While passing through the region, Liu Heng ascended the mountain to pay homage to Nüwa. At that time, he found that local people worshipped the goddess only within natural caves in the mountains. He then issued an imperial decree to build a three-hall temple to house the statue of Nüwa and ensure the continuation of offerings and incense burning. From that moment on, the worship of Nüwa flourished without interruption.
On the northern wall of the eaves of Yingshuang Pavilion at Wa Palace, an engraved stone stele records:
“Emperor Wen of Han established a divine temple of three halls, sculpted the deity’s image, and elevated the rites of worship.”
The Sacred Realm of Nüwa
Thus, lofty pavilions rose amid emerald ridges, and the sacred statue shone through clouds and rainbows.
She rides the Azure Dragon and steers the White Tiger, connecting to Zuoquan and echoing through Hongqu.
Purple incense curls eternally from Northern Qi, while shadows of eagles and cranes glide over Zhonghuang.
Like the fabled Penglai, this is a true fairyland—the divine dwelling honored by all in Shexian.
Iron chains anchor the towers, shaking hearts with their power; cliff scriptures and carvings amaze even the most seasoned traveler.
Blessing the region beneath, the shrine welcomes lucky clouds to descend. Suspended for millennia, it clings to cliffs, soaring into the void.
With painted rafters, flying eaves, rain-swept corridors, and rainbow-colored halls, it is a divine abode bathed in clouds and mist.
Thus, in timeless Shexian, majestic Zhonghuang, though only a few pavilions were raised, they laid the spiritual foundation of Chinese civilization!
Legend has it that the 18th day of the third lunar month is Nüwa’s birthday. Every year, from the first to the eighteenth day of the third lunar month, people from all directions come to pay homage to Nüwa. This tradition has continued for over a thousand years.
The Jiaqing Edition of the Shexian Gazetteer (Qing Dynasty) records:
“In the month of late spring, people come together to offer prayers and ward off misfortune at Wa Palace. Each receives what they seek. From the west—Qin and Jin; from the east—Qing and Yan; from the south—Yu and Liang; from the north—Yan and Ji, they come from thousands of li away, bringing both elderly and young, offering with utmost sincerity. The sound of drums and joyful cries echoes through the valleys. This has continued for more than a thousand years.”
In Shexian County, every household worships Nüwa, with various forms of devotion widespread throughout the region since ancient times. Over the generations, this tradition has become an integral part of the spiritual belief system of the people of Shexian.
The myth of Nüwa creating humankind originates from the matriarchal clan society period, during which female deities were widely revered. Throughout Chinese history, Nüwa has been honored both by the state and the common people as the ancestral goddess of humanity.
The discovery of the Cishan Culture—an early branch of the Yangshao Culture—provides significant archaeological evidence supporting the long-standing worship of Nüwa at Wa Palace (Wahuanggong) in Shexian County. In the 1990s, between Shimen and Xinqiao villages, located over ten li (about 5 kilometers) northwest of Wahuanggong, archaeologists unearthed Paleolithic artifacts dating back more than 500,000 years, as well as human habitation sites from over 100,000 years ago. These findings confirm that early humans lived in this area in ancient times.
The period from the late Western Han to the mid and late Eastern Han Dynasty marked the height of Nüwa worship, surpassing all previous eras in scale and influence, and profoundly shaping the direction of Chinese mythology. The Han Dynasty still retained many elements of matriarchal society, and Nüwa held a central place in religious rituals during this time.
It was during this era that Emperor Wen of Han (Liu Heng, 180 BCE – 157 BCE)—a ruler closely connected to Shexian—ascended the throne. Before becoming emperor, his fiefdom was located in Jinyang (present-day Taiyuan). On his journey to the capital Chang’an, he traveled along the Qingzhang River, passing through Shexian, where the river flows at the foot of Zhonghuang Mountain. While passing through the region, Liu Heng ascended the mountain to pay homage to Nüwa. At that time, he found that local people worshipped the goddess only within natural caves in the mountains. He then issued an imperial decree to build a three-hall temple to house the statue of Nüwa and ensure the continuation of offerings and incense burning. From that moment on, the worship of Nüwa flourished without interruption.
On the northern wall of the eaves of Yingshuang Pavilion at Wa Palace, an engraved stone stele records:
“Emperor Wen of Han established a divine temple of three halls, sculpted the deity’s image, and elevated the rites of worship.”
The Sacred Realm of Nüwa
Thus, lofty pavilions rose amid emerald ridges, and the sacred statue shone through clouds and rainbows.
She rides the Azure Dragon and steers the White Tiger, connecting to Zuoquan and echoing through Hongqu.
Purple incense curls eternally from Northern Qi, while shadows of eagles and cranes glide over Zhonghuang.
Like the fabled Penglai, this is a true fairyland—the divine dwelling honored by all in Shexian.
Iron chains anchor the towers, shaking hearts with their power; cliff scriptures and carvings amaze even the most seasoned traveler.
Blessing the region beneath, the shrine welcomes lucky clouds to descend. Suspended for millennia, it clings to cliffs, soaring into the void.
With painted rafters, flying eaves, rain-swept corridors, and rainbow-colored halls, it is a divine abode bathed in clouds and mist.
Thus, in timeless Shexian, majestic Zhonghuang, though only a few pavilions were raised, they laid the spiritual foundation of Chinese civilization!
Legend has it that the 18th day of the third lunar month is Nüwa’s birthday. Every year, from the first to the eighteenth day of the third lunar month, people from all directions come to pay homage to Nüwa. This tradition has continued for over a thousand years.
The Jiaqing Edition of the Shexian Gazetteer (Qing Dynasty) records:
“In the month of late spring, people come together to offer prayers and ward off misfortune at Wa Palace. Each receives what they seek. From the west—Qin and Jin; from the east—Qing and Yan; from the south—Yu and Liang; from the north—Yan and Ji, they come from thousands of li away, bringing both elderly and young, offering with utmost sincerity. The sound of drums and joyful cries echoes through the valleys. This has continued for more than a thousand years.”
In Shexian County, every household worships Nüwa, with various forms of devotion widespread throughout the region since ancient times. Over the generations, this tradition has become an integral part of the spiritual belief system of the people of Shexian.
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