ABSTRACT
Myths of nature which played a large part in legitimising Wu Zetain's unprecedented ascent to power once again re-evaluate history to proffer more equitable perspectives. https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780429021268/fa62db72-54b0-49eb-b9ea-63d599147cff/content/fig2_40_1_C.jpg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
‘After Wu Zetian usurped the throne, the Jade Emperor was furious that a female would dare to rule and he punished China by withholding rain for three years. The rain-bringing dragon took pity and secretly ended the drought. The emperor was enraged, “The dragon has sinned, hence, he shall not be freed until golden beans bloom.” On the second day of the second month one year, farmers found kernels and started to make popcorn, to let the golden beans bloom.’
– Lu Feiran, ‘Spring Dragon Festival’, Shanghai Daily, 12 March 2013