Mazu

Mazu, also spelled Matsu, is a Chinese sea goddess revered as the protector of fishermen and sailors and the patron of coastal communities. Her worship is widespread along the Fujian coast and extends to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia. The goddess is commonly depicted as a compassionate young woman who guided ships to safety and calmed storms. Her cult is one of the enduring traditions of Chinese folk religion and has become an important cultural element in maritime areas of the Chinese-speaking world.

Origins and legend: According to popular legend, Mazu was born Lin Moniang on Meizhou Island in Fujian during the Song dynasty (10th–11th centuries). Gifted with spiritual powers, she is said to have saved her father and others at sea before dying young. After death she was deified as Mazu, the Empress of Heaven (Tianhou). From the late Song through the Ming and Qing periods, her worship spread among fishing and trading communities, leading to the construction of numerous temples and shrines dedicated to her.

Worship and practices: Devotees visit Mazu temples to seek protection at sea, good weather, and safety on journeys. Festivals include the birthday celebrations on the 23rd day of the third lunar month in many communities, and public processions and temple fairs are common during major temple events. Mazu temples, called Tianhou temples, are especially concentrated in Fujian, Taiwan, and coastal Southeast Asia, reflecting historical maritime trade and migration patterns.

Legacy: The Mazu cult remains a significant cultural and religious phenomenon, influencing art, literature, and regional customs. It illustrates the interaction between folk religion and Daoist and Buddhist traditions in the Chinese-speaking world, and its temples continue to serve as community centers for maritime populations.