Magic has a rich and ancient history in Chinese culture, deeply intertwined with philosophy, religion, and tradition. In ancient China, attitudes towards magic practitioners varied significantly between different ruling dynasties. Some were respected and admired for their abilities, while others were feared and persecuted, reflecting the changing social and political landscapes over thousands of years.
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💃 The Rituals of the Wu Sorcerers
An ancient term for a sorcerer in China is wu. While wu could be male or female, during the late Zhou dynasty the term most often referred to a female sorceress. These women were believed to possess extraordinary powers, such as the ability to heal the sick, fight evil spirits, interpret dreams, and even summon rain. The rituals of the wu often involved intense, whirling dances, where they would communicate with spirits and seemingly make objects move through the air. This connection to dance is so strong that another Chinese word with the sound ‘wu’ means ‘to dance’.
📉 From Reverence to Persecution
During the Zhou dynasty, a societal shift led to women being seen as less important than men, and the female-dominated wu came to be viewed as a danger. By the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), this suspicion had escalated into full-blown witch hunts. Accusations of wu-gu (evil magic) were rampant, and the punishment was often death. This period saw the persecution of many wu, who were once revered as essential members of society. Despite this, many legends survived of powerful wu who were later deified and worshipped as goddesses, such as the protective deity Chen Jinggu.
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- Curses: The History of the Evil Eye and Binding Magic
- Magical Plants: A Witch’s Garden of Herbs and Poisons
- Roman Magic: Curses, the Strix, and Everyday Protection
- Circe: The Greek Sorceress of Transformation and Myth
- Greek Magic: Hecate’s Power, Oracles, and Enchantresses
- Japanese Magic: Yōkai, Onmyōdō, and Supernatural Folklore
- Empress Chen Jiao: The Royal Scandal of Witchcraft in Han China
