Nüwa

Nüwa (also read Nügua) is the Chinese creator goddess in mythology, depicted as a snake with a human head. Her name is composed of the elements 女 (nǚ) meaning "woman, female" and 娲 (wā), a character of uncertain origin that refers to the goddess herself.

Etymology

The character 娲 (wā) is unique to her name and has no independent meaning, reinforcing the idea that Nüwa is a primordial figure. The compound Nüwa thus literally means "female wa" or "woman wa," uniquely identifying the goddess.

Cultural and Mythological Significance

Nüwa appears in Chinese folk religion, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. According to myth, she molded humans from earth or clay, often alongside her brother Fuxi. In some traditions, she created the nobility from yellow clay and commoners from brown mud or by dragging a string through mud. She is also credited with repairing the Pillar of Heaven after a great battle between deities (as described in the Huainanzi), which threatened to collapse the sky.

Notable Bearers

There are no known historical human bearers of the name Nüwa, as it remains strictly a mythological figure.

• Meaning: "woman" (女 nǚ) + the character 娲 (wā) referring to the goddess
• Origin: Chinese mythology
• Type: Goddess name
• Usage: Chinese