Lingzhi Literature

Legend of the White Snake

his story tells about the love story of Lady White and her husband Xu Xian. At the time of the boat festival, Lady White was pregnant and to protect her from the evil spirits, Xu xian coaxed her to drink old wine with realgar as this is believed to drive away evil spirits and is beneficial to pregnant women. Unfortunately, the wine turned Lady White into a snake and this incident shocked Xu xian enormously that had him fell in his bed and died.

hen the power of the wine with realgar faded, Lady White resumed her human form but was heartbroken to find Xu Xian dead. She knew that a celestial herb, a glossy Ganoderma which can only be found in the Kunlun Mountain could restore him to life.

White snake stealing Lingzhi (Lingzhi: from mystery to science)

ady White fought the white crane and heavenly guards responsible in guarding the Ganoderma. She was losing the battle until a loud voice of the Immortal of the Southern End commanded them to stop. Lady White pleads her case and the God, impressed by her sincerity and perseverance, granted her the Ganoderma.

he went back to her village, pound the Ganoderma to pieces and feed it to Xu Xian which soon gets back to life.

Lady White, stolen lingzhi in hand is pursued by heavenly guards (Ganoderma Culture Museum of China)

To learn more about Ganoderma in the Philippines and its roots to Chinese Culture, please read Lingzhi in Ancient Poems