MatSu

Matsu, sometimes rendered Mazu, may refer to two well-known topics in East Asia: the sea goddess Mazu and the Matsu Islands, an archipelago administered by Taiwan. The name Matsu is a romanization used in various languages for the deity and for the place names.

Mazu, also called Tianhou, is a deity of the sea and protector of fishermen and sailors in Chinese folk religion. According to legend, she lived as Lin Moniang in the 10th century on Meizhou Island in Fujian. After her death she was deified and became a widely venerated figure across coastal Fujian, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities. Temples devoted to Mazu are common in many coastal towns, and her worship has influenced regional religious practice, art, and festival calendars. Major rites include annual celebrations on her birthday, typically observed on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, with processions and temple activities held across communities.

The Matsu Islands comprise a group of 36 islands in the Taiwan Strait near the coast of Fujian Province. They are administered by the Republic of China (Taiwan) as Lienchiang County and include the principal inhabited islands of Nangan, Beigan, and Dongyin. Historically known in Western media as Quemoy and Matsu during periods of cross-strait tension, the archipelago has since developed infrastructure supporting fishing, aquaculture, and tourism, while maintaining cultural and linguistic ties to Fujian and Taiwan. The islands occupy a strategic location in regional history and continue to be home to residents who navigate security considerations, economic development, and cultural heritage.