Praying for Offspring (Qiú Sì)

Qiú sì is the act of praying to deities for offspring. In traditional clan culture, the continuation of the family line is considered a matter of great importance. This is not only for the perpetuation of a personal family but also relates to the inheritance of ancestral worship. In the past, if a couple had been married for a long time without conceiving, or wished to have both sons and daughters, they would often visit temples to pray to deities such as Zhùshēng Niángniáng (the Goddess of Fertility) and make vows for repayment. Almanacs (Tōngshū) typically list qiú sì as an auspicious activity and mark favorable days for such prayers. Although modern society has more diverse views on childbearing, this custom is still preserved in some regions.