Worshipped for being the patron and protector of seafarers, Mazu is a Chinese sea goddess who is popular in the religions of Taoism and Chinese Buddhism. Before her deification, she was a young woman called Lin Mo Niang, a real historical figure dating from 960 A.D to 988 A.D. In addition, Mazu has also made many appearances in Chinese legends and myths. Many people, of whom a large amount are fishermen, in coastal areas situated in south-eastern China and Taiwan islands, are known to worship her.
Mazu or Lin Mo Niang was born on March 23, 960 A.D. In the 13th century, legends concerning the life of Lin Mo Niang were confirmed. She did not cry at birth nor in the later months of her infant hood, thus the name Mo Niang, meaning silent girl …show more content…
One night, her father and her four brothers were out on sea when a horrible storm sent them into peril. Lin Mo Niang fell into a trance and during her unconsciousness, her spirit went out to sea to save them. Successfully, she managed to save her father and three of her brothers. The fourth brother died due to her mother's interruption who thought her unconsciousness was caused by illness. Rumours of this spread across her hometown, and soon she became respected and considered as a woman of divine powers. The figure Mazu has also appeared in other legends and myths, including one where she conquered two demons, Qianliyan and Shunfeng'er, who she later befriended and made her guardian …show more content…
Due to emigration and alike, the worship of the sea goddess soon spread to other Asian countries like Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam. Fishermen, sailors, naval officers and others all pray to Mazu to ensure their safety while travelling overseas, by sea or air. Many temples have been erected in her honour; famous ones being the Meizhou Mazu Temple in China and the Heavenly Queen Temple in Australia. A significant worship day of the goddess is the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month--her birthday. The Mazu festival takes place on this day in Taiwan and lasts 8 days, where a Mazu idol is inspected on a 160-mile tour from the Zhenlan Temple to the Chaotian Temple and back again. Another festival, the Double Ninth Festival, is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month to commemorate her death or as some believe, her ascension to
Mazu or Lin Mo Niang was born on March 23, 960 A.D. In the 13th century, legends concerning the life of Lin Mo Niang were confirmed. She did not cry at birth nor in the later months of her infant hood, thus the name Mo Niang, meaning silent girl …show more content…
One night, her father and her four brothers were out on sea when a horrible storm sent them into peril. Lin Mo Niang fell into a trance and during her unconsciousness, her spirit went out to sea to save them. Successfully, she managed to save her father and three of her brothers. The fourth brother died due to her mother's interruption who thought her unconsciousness was caused by illness. Rumours of this spread across her hometown, and soon she became respected and considered as a woman of divine powers. The figure Mazu has also appeared in other legends and myths, including one where she conquered two demons, Qianliyan and Shunfeng'er, who she later befriended and made her guardian …show more content…
Due to emigration and alike, the worship of the sea goddess soon spread to other Asian countries like Taiwan, Japan and Vietnam. Fishermen, sailors, naval officers and others all pray to Mazu to ensure their safety while travelling overseas, by sea or air. Many temples have been erected in her honour; famous ones being the Meizhou Mazu Temple in China and the Heavenly Queen Temple in Australia. A significant worship day of the goddess is the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month--her birthday. The Mazu festival takes place on this day in Taiwan and lasts 8 days, where a Mazu idol is inspected on a 160-mile tour from the Zhenlan Temple to the Chaotian Temple and back again. Another festival, the Double Ninth Festival, is celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month to commemorate her death or as some believe, her ascension to