In Chinese mythology, Jiutian Xuannü is the goddess of war, sex, and longevity. Etymology This goddess was initially known as Xuannü (). The name has been variously translated as the "Dark Lady" or the "Mysterious Lady" in English. In the late Tang dynasty, the Daoist master Du Guangting (850–933) created the title Jiutian Xuannü (九天玄女), adding Jiutian (meaning "[of the] Nine Heavens"), to refer to the goddess. She is closely related to Sunü, who is her divine sister. Both their names combined, as xuansu zhidao (), signify the Daoist arts of the bedchamber. Stories The Yongcheng Jixian Lu (), written by the Daoist master Du Guangting (850–933), contains a biographical account of Jiutian Xuannü. It mentions that Jiutian Xuannü is the teacher of Huangdi and the disciple of Xi Wangmu. The work relates a story about the goddess appearing before Huangdi during a time when the latter was in conflict with Chiyou. Chiyou had caused a great mist, which was so impenetrable that it obscured day and night. Huangdi would dwell in the mist for several days. Jiutian Xuannü rode a cinnabar phoenix, holding phosphors and clouds as reins, into the great mist. She wore variegated kingfisher-feather garments of nine colors. Huangdi greeted her and received her command. Jiutian Xuannü said: "I base myself on the teachings of the Grand Supreme. If you have any doubts, you may question me." Huangdi responded: "[Chiyou] is cruelly crossing us. His poison is harming all the black-haired people. The four seas are sobbing. No one can protect his own nature or life. I want the art of winning a myriad victories in a myriad battles. Can I cut the harm facing my people?" Thereupon the goddess bestowed various objects and artifacts. The following is a few of the listed items: The Talismans of the Martial Tokens of the Six Jia Cyclicals and the Six Ren Cyclicals () The Book by which the Five Emperors of the Numinous Treasure Force Ghosts and Spirits into Service () The Seal of the Five Bright-Shiners for Regulating Demons and Communicating with Spirits () The Formula of the Five Yin and Five Yang for Concealing the Jia Cyclicals () Charts for Grabbing the Mechanism of Victory and Defeat of the Grand Unity from the Ten Essences and Four Spirits () Charts of the Five Marchmounts and the Four Holy Rivers () Instructions in the Essentials of Divining Slips