Introduction: Wu Zhao and her pantheon of female political ancestors
Part I. The goddesses of antiquity
Wu Zhao as the late seventh-century avatar of primordial goddess Nüwa
Sanctifying Luoyang: the Luo River goddess and Wu Zhao
First ladies of sericulture: Wu Zhao and Leizu
Part II. Dynastic mothers, exemplary mothers
The mother of Qi and Wu Zhao: connecting to antiquity, elevating Mount Song
Ur-mothers birthing the Zhou line: Jiang Yuan and Wu Zhao
Wenmu and Wu Zhao: two mothers of Zhou
Four exemplary women in Wu Zhao's regulations for ministers
Part III. Drawing the numinous energies of female Daoist divinities
The Queen Mother of the West and Wu Zhao
The mother of Laozi and Wu Zhao: from one grand dowager to another
Rejected from the pantheon: the ill-timed rise of the cult of Wei Huacun
Part IV. Buddhist devis and goddesses
Dharma echoes of Mother My in Wu Zhao
Channeling pure radiance: Wu Zhao and Devi Jingguang
Conclusions
Appendix: Wu Zhao's pantheon of female political ancestors.