Ethereal Encounter with the Silk Deity

In the tranquil town of Wu, Zhang Cheng experienced an extraordinary event. One night, as he arose, he unexpectedly beheld a lady standing at the southern corner of his residence. With a beckoning gesture, she summoned Cheng, who promptly approached. The mysterious woman revealed, “This place is the cocoon chamber of your household, and I am the spirit residing here. On the fifteenth day of the coming lunar January, prepare a white porridge with honey and offer it to me. This ritual will ensure a hundredfold increase in your silkworms and mulberry trees.” With these words, she vanished into the night.

True to her instructions, Cheng crafted the honeyed porridge, and henceforth, his silk production thrived remarkably. To this day, on the fifteenth day of the lunar January, the tradition of preparing the white honeyed porridge persists, marking the auspicious beginning of White paste porridge.

Original story in 《齊諧記》

吳縣張成，夜起，忽見一婦人，立於宅上南角，舉手招成。成即就之。婦人曰：「此地是君家蠶室，我即是此地之神。明年正月半，宜作白粥泛膏於上祭我也，必當令君蠶桑百倍。」言絕，失之。成如言作膏粥，自此後，大得蠶。今正月半作白膏粥，自此始也。