Editing Wu Zetian (section)

=== Sacrifice on Mount Tai ===
In relation to Daoism, there are records that point to Wu's participation in important religious rituals, such as the ''tou long on'' [[Mount Song]], and ''feng'' and ''shan'' on [[Mount Tai]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rothschild, N|first=Harry|title=Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers|publisher=Columbia, Up|year=2015|location=New York, NY|page=32}}</ref> One of the most important rituals was performed in 666.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rothschild, N|first=Harry|title=Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers|publisher=Columbia UP|year=2015|location=New York, NY|page=115}}</ref> When Emperor Gaozong offered sacrifices to the deities of heaven and earth, Wu, in an unprecedented action, offered sacrifices after him, with Princess Dowager Yan, mother of Gaozong's brother [[Li Zhen (Tang dynasty)|Li Zhen]], Prince of Yue, offering sacrifices after her.<ref name="ZZTJ201" /> Wu's procession of ladies up Mount Tai conspicuously linked Wu with the Chinese empire's most sacred traditional rites.<ref name="Paludan, 99" /> Another important performance was made in 700, when Wu conducted the ''tou long'' Daoist expiatory rite.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rothschild, N|first=Harry|title=Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers|publisher=Columbia UP|year=2015|location=New York, NY|page=174}}</ref> Her participation in the rituals had political as well as religious motives. Such ceremonies served to consolidate Wu's life in politics and show she possessed the [[Mandate of Heaven]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Rothschild, N|first=Harry|title=Emperor Wu Zhao and Her Pantheon of Devis, Divinities, and Dynastic Mothers|publisher=Columbia, UP|year=2015|location=New York, NY|page=187}}</ref>