Leizu

Leizu, also known as Xi Ling-shi, was a legendary Chinese empress and the wife of the Yellow Emperor. According to tradition, she discovered how to raise silkworms for silk production and invented the silk loom. Her story dates back to the 27th century BC, making her an important figure in the history of China. Thanks to her, silk became an important part of Chinese culture and trade.

Myths

Leizu is a legendary figure known for discovering silkworms. The story says that while she was having tea, a cocoon fell into her drink. The heat unwrapped the silk, which stretched across her garden. She realized that the cocoon was the source of this wonderful material.

Leizu asked her husband for a grove of mulberry trees so she could care for the silkworms. She is said to have invented tools to help turn the silk threads into fabric. While we don’t know exactly how much of this story is true, we do know that China was the first place to use silk. Leizu taught many people how to work with silk.

She is loved and remembered in China as the "Silkworm Mother."