As her name suggests, this goddess bestows children on couples eager for offsprings. She is sometimes confused with the child-bestowing Guanyin (Cizi Guanyin 赐子观音) and Lady Linshui 临水夫人. Her function is the same as the former but different from the latter who is more of a female guardian ensuring a smooth delivery for pregnant women. The origin and growth of the goddess’ cult was due largely to the Confucian value of filial piety which placed immense importance on having descendants to continue one’s family name. There is a common saying, “There are three unfilial acts, of which, bearing no descendants, is the most unfilial.”
