Can Nüwa, Jiutian Xuannü, and Lishan Laomu simply be regarded as one deity?

I do not recommend treating them all as the same merely because their stories resemble one another. In my understanding then, they were more likely not the same being. But this remains my judgment, not a conclusion for every faith system.

Some suggest that the old woman appearing at Lishan might have been a manifestation of Nüwa or Jiutian Xuannü. In terms of manifestations, that is not entirely inconceivable. But a possible manifestation differs greatly from already knowing they are identical.

Jiutian Xuannü teaching the Yellow Emperor military strategy and divinatory arts, and Lishan Laomu teaching Li Quan the Dao, methods, and techniques, are stories of transmitting knowledge. Similar missions alone cannot establish identical identities.

Different temples’ Five Mothers systems may also understand matters differently. First learn which system you are hearing and where the story comes from. Leave unclear aspects open for further understanding rather than rushing to fit every name into one scheme.