Tudipo (Earth God's Wife)

Why does Tudipo carry the blame for "refusing to make people rich"? A classic folk story explains it.

Legend says that when the Jade Emperor sent the Earth God down to look after a stretch of land, he asked him what he wished for. The kind-hearted Earth God answered, "May everyone in the world be rich and at peace."

Tudipo, standing beside him, quickly shook her head. "That won't do! If everyone were rich, who would carry the sedan chairs, who would till the fields, who would sweep the floors? If everyone lived in comfort, how would the world keep running?"

The Jade Emperor found this very sensible. So the world came to have rich and poor, high and low, each person meeting a different lot according to karma and effort. And Tudipo has carried the blame ever since; many people simply pass her by when they worship the Earth God.

But look at it another way: was she wrong? What Tudipo stands for isn't stinginess but the wisdom of social order and the division of labor. Without the cold water she poured, the world would lose its reason to work hard.

Another version says Tudipo was a virtuous mortal woman who ran her household well and raised her children wisely, and after death was made the Earth God's consort. In either version, she is the practical one who keeps the household going.

Tudipo is usually worshipped together with the Earth God: offer incense to the Earth God and tell him your concerns, then say it all again to Tudipo. Offerings are mainly fresh flowers, fruit, pastries, and clear tea, and people who want to do it properly prepare two sets, one for each.

What should you ask her for? Family harmony, a good marriage, dutiful children. These "family matters" are her specialty. It's also common to come when moving into a new home or newly married and ask the two of them together to protect the household.

One small reminder: when telling Tudipo about family matters, be respectful, and don't complain about or criticize your family. Tradition says she will remember what you say and use it as the basis for judgment later. Some temples have a separate censer in front of her statue, so you can worship her on her own as well.

Tudipo's Birthday: the 17th day of the 3rd lunar month (some say the 16th day of the 4th lunar month). The date varies by temple tradition, so check the local temple's announcements in advance.

Earth God's Birthday: the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month (touya) and the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (Mid-Autumn); weiya falls on the 16th day of the 12th lunar month. On these days Earth God temples hold celebrations, and Tudipo is usually worshipped alongside him. Many families also bring offerings to the Earth God temple on these days.

Lunar New Year: Many worshippers make a special trip to the Earth God temple over the Lunar New Year to worship the Earth God and Tudipo together, praying for a peaceful home and good fortune in the new year.