Houtu (后土), whose name literally means “Queen of the Earth,” is the supreme goddess of the land, soil, and earth in Chinese religion and Taoism . As one of the Four Guides, she holds a position of immense importance, complementing the celestial authority of the Jade Emperor. She is the deified Earth itself, the mother who nurtures all life and receives all things back into her embrace at the end of their cycle . She is also known as “Mother Earth” (Dimǔ 地母).
Houtu’s origins stretch back to ancient Chinese mythology. In early texts like the Classic of Mountains and Seas, Houtu was originally a male deity, the son of the water god Gonggong . This primal Houtu was a powerful figure who could control floods by building mountains of earth. He served as the assistant god to the Yellow Emperor, representing the earth element in the Five Phases (Wuxing) system .
The transformation of Houtu into a female goddess occurred much later, solidifying during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) . This shift reflected the natural philosophical association of Heaven with yang (male) and Earth with yin (female). As the “Empress of Earth,” her role became more defined: she controls the balance of Yin and Yang, ensures the fertility of the soil, governs all mountains and rivers, and oversees the flourishing of all plants, animals, and humankind .
Her worship is both ancient and widespread. The Han Dynasty emperors, starting with Emperor Wen, offered grand sacrifices to Houtu at great state altars . In popular practice, her presence is both grand and subtle. She is the overlord of all the local earth gods (Tudigong), city gods, and mountain deities . In a more intimate context, she is honored at gravesites. A small stone tablet inscribed with her name is often placed at the front left of a tomb. Before paying respects to their ancestors, families first offer incense to Houtu, thanking the Goddess of the Soil for protecting the grave and guarding the spirits of the departed . She is the great mother, the foundation of the world, and the ultimate guardian of the land and its people.