Susan Naquin, "Gods of Mount Tai Familiarity and the Material Culture of North China, 1000-2000," (Brill, 2022)

At the intersection of art and religious history, this work suggests a fresh method for studying Chinese gods and sacred places. Susan Naquin tells the full story of the transformations of the Lady of Mount Tai, North China’s most important female deity, and her mountain home. This generously illustrated visual history presents a rich array of overlooked statues, prints, murals, and paintings of gods that were discovered in museums, auctions, and extensive travel. By focusing on ordinary images, temples, and region-based materiality Naquin demonstrates how this flexibly gendered new god flourished while her male predecessor was neglected. Both suffered greatly during the last century, but Mount Tai continues to be a culturally significant monument and China’s most popular tourist mountain. Lady of Mount Tai Susan Naquin Chinese gods and sacred places Religious history of Mount Tai Visual history of Chinese deities Gender and religion in Chinese culture Art and religious transformation in China Sacred mountains in Chinese tradition Female deity of Mount Tai Statues and murals of Chinese gods Cultural significance of Mount Tai Chinese religious art history Temples and regional materiality in China Transformation of Chinese female deities Gender dynamics in Chinese religious practices Tourism and cultural heritage of Mount Tai East Asian Studies East Asian Studies Podcast Chinese History Chinese History Podcast Chinese Religious History Chinese Religious History Podcast East Asian Religious History East Asian Religious History Podcast