Mazu is China's most significant goddess of the sea. She influences a variety of beliefs, customs, and cultural practices in coastal regions as well as throughout countless Chinese communities around the world. The name Mazu can be translated to "maternal ancestor" and may also refer to "Mazupo" in Fujian Province, where her hometown is located. It can also refer to "A-Ma" in Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Portuguese name for which comes from the pronunciation of "Mazu Pavilion". In the tenth century, Mazu lived on the island of Meizhou. She dedicated herself to rescuing the survivors of a shipwreck. In the process, she drowned. To this day, many Chinese, particularly those living along the coast, still strongly believe Mazu will always watch out for the brave sailors and fishermen.
Mazu is celebrated twice each year in traditional temple fairs. This is when Meizhou residents, farmers, and fisherfolk temporarily suspend their work. In addition, they sacrifice marine animals, venerate statues of Mazu, and enjoy a wide variety of dances and performances. During the worship of Chuanzai Ma, a sculpture of the goddess Mazu is placed on the boat. A symbolic prayer is offered for a safe voyage. Smaller ceremonies also take place in the other 5,000 temples around the world, as well as in private homes. These ceremonies may involve floral tributes, candles, incense, firecrackers, and processions of residents carrying 'Mazu lanterns' in the evening. It is common for followers to ask God for pregnancy, peace, the solution to a problem, or general wellbeing.
As centuries have passed, respect for Mazu has become very widespread. Following the footsteps of Chinese sea merchants and overseas Chinese, Mazu traveled throughout the world and appeared in many corners -- Asia, America, Australia, and Europe. Several thousand Mazu temples have been built all over the world where Mazu from Meizhou is sanctified. This belief in Mazu has become a transnational folk belief, with more than 200 million worshippers. Around two-thirds of the Taiwanese population worship, Mazu and more than 1,000 Mazu temples can be found across the Taiwanese islands. Nowadays, more and more Taiwanese citizens are traveling to Meizhou Island to show their piety at Mazu temples. Deeply integrated into the lives of the coastal Chinese and their descendants, the belief in and commemoration of Mazu is an influential cultural bond that strengthens the bonds between families, promotes social concord, and enhances community identity. Legends about Mazu's life are passed down through word of mouth, folk poetry, and works of historians and anthropologists. These are the usual ways that people in China learn about the stories of gods and goddesses.
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