Who is Lei Zu in ancient Chinese legend
Lei Zu is an ancient Chinese man. "Records of the Grand Historian" mentioned that the Yellow Emperor married Lei Zu, the daughter of Xiling family, and she invented silkworm rearing, which was "Lei Zu's first silkworm". Lei Zu was the Yuan concubine of Huang Di Xuanyuan, the legendary leader of the northern tribes. She gave birth to Xuan Xiao, Chang Yi two sons. Changyi married Shushan's female wife, born Gao Yang, inherit the world, this is the five emperors "Zhuanxu Emperor". According to the Annals of Etiquette of Sui Shu, the Northern Zhou Dynasty honored Lei Zu as "the first silkworm" (that is, the god of the first silkworm). "Tongjian Wai Ji" records: "Xiling's daughter Lei Zu as the emperor's concubine, began to teach people to raise silkworms, rule silk to provide clothes."
What did Huang Di's wife, Lei Zu, invent?
"Shiji · Five Emperors Benji" : "The Yellow Emperor lived in Xuanyuan Hill, and married the daughter of Xiling, is Lei Zu. Lei Zu is Huang Di Zhengfei, gave birth to two sons, after which all have the world." The eldest son Xuan Xiao (Qingyang) lived in the Minjiang River, and the second son Chang Yi lived in the Ruoshui (Yalong River). Judging from the silk objects found in Wuyue, there was silkworm production in the Jiangnan area 5,000 years ago.
According to legend, as early as 3,000 years ago, the Yellow Emperor's wife Lei Zu began to "raise silkworms to take silk." The secret of Chinese silk was later spread by immigrants to Korea, India and other places, and legend has it that in the sixth century, Christian monks in Byzantium smuggled silkworm pupae from China, and the technology of silkworm cultivation was only transmitted to Europe. But a more plausible theory is that a large number of Tang Dynasty princesses smuggled silkworm pupae so that they could continue to wear magnificent clothes. It is said that silkworms are one of the insects that have made the longest and largest contribution to mankind.
What contributions did Leizu make to China
The outstanding contribution of Leizu was to marry the emperor in the transition period from the matriarchal society to the patrilineal society. Before marrying the Yellow Emperor, Lei Zu was already the leader of Xiling Clan.
Lei Zu had helped the Yellow Emperor to put down the war. Already in Xiling, she was an excellent strategist who could put down large and small wars. Lei Zu was the first advocate of civilized marriage. She called on men and women to have a matchmaker in marriage, reflecting the spirit of benefiting the people.
Leizu also invented the technology of sericulture and silk drawing, and the Chinese family has enjoyed her grace for thousands of years. Legend has it that Xiling people lived a rich life and often gave some daily necessities to neighboring tribes. Once, Xiling gave a beautiful dress to Xuanyuan, at that time Xuanyuan's clothes were not exquisite. After the Yellow Emperor tried it on, he thought it was a great achievement.
The Chinese people worshipped the former silkworm as a god, and all the silkworm women had to offer sacrifices to Leizu. According to the Book of Changes, after Lei Zu invented clothes, the Chinese people's clothes had a qualitative leap. In ancient China, Leizu was a cultural symbol. As the wife of the Yellow Emperor, Lei Zu received the highest respect from the imperial family and all the Chinese people. Lei Zu has made great contributions to China, she is the only woman who can be equal with the Yellow Emperor, and she is also a great giant of The Times.