Ma gu the fairy

Ma gu is a female deity and commonly associated with longevity.  It is said that she saw the East sea turned into mulberry fields three times.  It would take millions of years for the sea to become land and to witness it 3 times implied the unimaginable length of time she has existed since.  She resided on Penglai, the fabled abode of immortals.

On every 3rd day of March, she is said to present the wine made with lingzhi to goddess Xi Wangmu as part of her birthday gifts.  The most common motif related to Ma gu used the theme Ma gu offering birthday blessings, ie ma gu xian shou (麻姑献寿).  It was first used during the Qing Kangxi period and has remained popular during the Qing period.