This study approaches gender symbols in the worship of the Land Deity to critically examine how traditional Chinese folk beliefs participate in and shape the social gender order. Focusing on the phenomenon of “The popularity of the ‘Gong’ (male) deity is much higher than that of ‘Mu’ (female) counterpart”, it analyzes its formative mechanisms through both historical and structural perspectives. The research finds that the gendered construction of the Land Deity belief is accompanied by a transformation in its social functions: The fertility and nurturing role of the early “Dimu” (the Earth Mother) was gradually replaced by the territorial management and order‑sustaining functions of the “Shegong/Tudigong” (She God/Land Deity). In this process, the “Gong” symbol became institutionalized through deep coupling with three key functions – grassroots governance, patrilineal succession, and community integration. The “Mu” symbol, by contrast, underwent a process of functional contraction, derogation in folk narratives, and symbolic weakening, resulting in significantly lower visibility and recognition in public worship compared to the “Gong” symbol. This study reveals that the gendering of religious symbols is not the result of natural evolution, but rather emerges from the interplay between power structures and cultural meanings. It offers new insights for understanding the gender politics of Chinese folk religion, and provides a fresh perspective for reflecting on how traditional societies legitimize power through symbolic systems.
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Share and Cite
Qin, Z., Zhao, Z. (2025) The Ascendancy of the “Gong” and the Marginalization of the “Mu”: Analyzing the Social Construct of Gender in Land Deity Worship. Journal of Social Development and History, 1(5), 137-147. https://doi.org/10.71052/jsdh/PJNU6565