Magu (deity)

Magu (Chinese: 麻姑; pinyin: Mágū; Wade–Giles: Ma-ku; lit. 'Hemp Maiden') is a legendary Taoist xian (仙; 'immortal', 'transcendent') associated with the elixir of life, and a symbolic protector of women in Chinese mythology. Stories in Chinese literature describe Magu as a beautiful young woman with long birdlike fingernails, while early myths associate her with caves. Magu xian shou (麻姑獻壽; 'Magu gives her birthday greetings') is a popular motif in Chinese art.