Character Origins
- Lady of the Snail (Luo Nu): First recorded in Sou Shen Hou Ji Volume 5, an immortal sent by Heaven to repay Xie Duan’s kindness by transforming into a snail.
- Xie Duan: A farmer from Houguan County during Emperor An of Jin, orphaned early, known for his upright character that earned celestial favor.
Mythological Evolution
The legend evolved through four key periods:
- Southern Dynasties’ Yiyuan added details of the magical snail shell
- Song Dynasty’s Taiping Guangji emphasized moral teachings
- Ming Dynasty’s Tianzhong Ji included local landscape descriptions
- Qing Dynasty’s Qingshi introduced romantic elements
Narrative Structure
- Xie Duan discovers a giant snail and raises it carefully
- The snail transforms into a maiden at night to manage household chores
- Xie Duan secretly observes and reveals the truth
- The maiden explains her heavenly mission to reward Xie Duan’s virtue
- Leaves the snail shell to aid his prosperity before returning to heaven
Cultural Symbolism
- Snail imagery: Represents self-sufficiency (snail shell as home) and fertility (snails’ reproductive capacity)
- Gender roles: Reflects traditional farming division while subverting gender norms
- Ethical core: Highlights “good deeds bring good fortune” and celestial-human harmony
Folkloric Practices
- Fuqing’s “Snail Ancestor Festival”: Annual March 3rd rituals with “Snail Maidens” dance
- Wenzhou’s “Snail Sucking Contest”: Mid-Autumn festival banquet symbolizing bad luck removal
- Yilan’s “Snail Shell Gift”: Wedding custom symbolizing fertility and prosperity
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