Yang Asha (Chinese: 仰阿莎; also spelt Yang’asha) is a goddess of beauty, worshipped by Miao people.[1] She serves as a tribute to the rich culture of the local people.[2]

Legend

According to local legend, Yang Asha is a beautiful woman. She was deceived to marry the sun because of the lies of the dark clouds. However, soon after the wedding, the sun left and went to the East China Sea. Yang Asha endured the absence of the sun for six years. Some time later, she and Chang Gongyue, the moon and brother of the sun, fell in love. The two decided to elope, escaping to the horizon. After a lot of twists and turns, the two eventually lived a happy life.[2]

Legacy

  • Yang Asha has become a cultural brand in the region. Many places in Southeast Guizhou are named after her, such as Yang Asha Lake, Yang Asha Street, Yang Asha Square, and Yang Asha Avenue.[3]
  • Since 2007, the Yang Asha Cultural Festival has been held in the county on June 6 of the lunar calendar every year.[4]
  • In 2008, the Miao narrative song "Yang Asha" was selected as the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage.[4]
  • The 88-metre-high steel statue depicts Yang Asha was built in Jianhe County in 2017. The statue is the tallest in China.[5][6] It was verified to be the world's largest of the Miao goddess Yang Asha by the World Record Certification Agency (WRCA) on December 16, 2017.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Opening ceremony of Yang'asha culture festival held in China's Guizhou". Xinhuanet. 30 September 2018. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Bradsher, Keith (26 November 2020). "A Soaring Monument to Beauty in China Is Stirring Passions. Mostly Anger". The New York Times.
  3. ↑ "Jianhe County of Guizhou notified the statue of Yang Asha: not using national poverty alleviation funds | tellerreport.com". www.tellerreport.com. 21 October 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "Guizhou 88-meter sculpture cited controversy, local officials: can't stop doing it because of doubt | tellerreport.com". www.tellerreport.com. 28 October 2020.
  5. ↑ "See incredible pictures of a giant statue of the Goddess of Beauty being built in China". Lonely Planet. 20 April 2017.
  6. ↑ "Statue of legendary Miao beauty built to promote local tourism - People's Daily Online". en.people.cn. 17 April 2017.


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