Taoism is a Chinese religion and philosophy dating back to the 4th century B.C. that advocates living in harmony with nature and the pursuit of balance in life.
Within Taoism, one finds MaguMagu, a goddess symbolizing beauty, immortality and cannabis, also known as hemp. In this article, we will explore the history and legend behind Magu and her relationship with hemp.
Who is Magu?
Magu is one of the most popular goddesses within Taoism. Her Chinese name, Mágū (麻姑), literally translates as "hemp sister." Magu is known for her eternal beauty and her ability to grant immortality to mortals.
Magu is commonly depicted as a beautiful and radiant young woman, holding a peony branch in one hand and a peach in the other. In addition, on her belt she carries a pouch of hemp seeds and a mortar for grinding them.
The goddess Magu is seen as a benevolent figure in Taoism, and is considered a protector of women and children, as well as travelers and the sick.
The legend behind Magu
There are many legends about Magu within Taoism, and one of the most popular tells that Magu was a beautiful young woman who lived in a cave. One day, an old man visited her and taught her the recipe for preparing the elixir of immortality. Magu followed the recipe and drank the elixir, granting her eternal life.
After drinking the elixir, Magu became a goddess, and decided to help other mortals attain immortality as well. To do so, she began to cultivate hemp and brew the herb into a tea that granted immortality to those who drank it.
Magu and hemp
Magu and hemp are closely related within Taoism. Magu is said to have been the first to discover the healing properties of cannabis, and began using it as a medicine to treat illness and relieve pain. In addition, Magu is believed to have cultivated the first cannabis plant on earth.
Hemp has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, and is believed to have a variety of healing properties, such as reducing pain and inflammation, improving digestion, and relaxing the body and mind.
Today, hemp is used in many products, such as food, clothing and cosmetics. In addition, medical marijuana has been legalized in several countries, including some U.S. states, to treat a variety of medical conditions.
Magu in popular culture
Magu is a popular figure in Chinese culture, and his image has appeared in numerous works of art and literature throughout history. In addition, he has become a popular symbol in Chinese pop culture and has appeared in movies, television series and video games.
Today, Magu's image has been adopted by some cultural movements, such as the new age movement and hippie culture, because of its association with cannabis and nature.
The importance of hemp in Chinese culture
Hemp has been used in Chinese culture for more than 4,000 years, and has been valued for its medicinal and textile properties. In addition, the hemp plant is considered a symbol of prosperity and good fortune in Chinese culture.
Although the use of cannabis and its derivatives have been banned in China since the 1980s, the hemp plant is still valued for its fiber and seeds, which are used in the production of food and cosmetics.
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