Some legends have it that the Ci Niang Ma are Zhi Nu Goddess and her six sisters who helped take care of the children of Niu Lang and Zhi Nu since the couple has been separated. Therefore, the Ci Niang Ma becomes the patron goddess of the children. Like the legend about Niu Lang and Zhi Nu, the belief of the Ci Niang Ma is also originated from the astrological religious beliefs in the ancient times.