Tradition / Region: Chinese Mythology
Alternative names: Silkworm Goddess, Silkworm Horse Goddess
Category: Horse, Deity
The Myth
Cán Nǚ, the Silkworm Goddess, is a Chinese goddess associated with silkworms and the origin of silk. She is commonly depicted as a beautiful young woman riding a white horse and is especially revered in the legends of southern China.
According to the legend, during the reign of Emperor Ku, a young woman’s father left on a distant expedition. Longing for his safe return, she jokingly promised the family’s white stallion that she would marry it if it could bring her father home. The horse immediately broke free and galloped away. Several days later, it returned with her father, having fulfilled the impossible task.
When the father learned of his daughter’s promise, he feared the consequences. He killed the faithful horse, skinned it, and hung its hide in the courtyard. Later, while playing nearby, the girl mocked the horse’s hide for having wished to marry a human. Suddenly, the hide came to life, wrapped itself around her, and carried her away.
After several days, the girl’s family discovered her in a mulberry tree. The horse’s hide still enclosed her body, her head had taken on the appearance of a horse, and she was spinning fine silk from the branches. From that time onward, the strange insect became known as the silkworm, and the tree was called the mulberry.
Some time later, the girl’s parents saw her descend from the heavens on a cloud, attended by heavenly guards and riding a magnificent horse. She explained that because of her filial devotion and unwavering loyalty, the Heavenly Emperor had made her an immortal and granted her a place among the celestial beings. Assuring them that she now lived happily in Heaven, she departed once more.
In gratitude for the gift of silk, later generations worshipped her as the Silkworm Goddess. Temples dedicated to her were established in regions such as Sichuan and Jiangnan, where she was often portrayed as a beautiful maiden riding a white horse or as the Horse-Headed Goddess.
Sources
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). 蚕女. In 维基百科，自由的百科全书. Retrieved June 29, 2026, from https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%9A%95%E5%A5%B3