I. Origin
Mazu, formerly known as Molin, was born in Meizhou Island, Putian on March 23, 1960, and died on September 9, 1987, the fourth year of Yongxi. Mazu is the incarnation of Molinyang, the sixth daughter of Lin Yuan, Meizhou, Putian, Fujian. She was born in the Song and Yuan Dynasties. She didn't hear her cry after she was born, so she was named, which means silent woman. Mo Niang has shown magical functions since she was a child. She can read, recite and understand its meaning.
Second, the legend
1, legend 1
During the Northern Song Dynasty, a merchant ship with a big grain-producing country decided to set sail for home. Mo Niang knew that the storm warning would dissuade her. As a result, the businessman refused to listen and wanted to sail. When he meets a strong wind at sea, he can't tell the direction. Mazu hung a red light on the roof and lit firewood to guide the way, so the legend of Mazu was handed down.
2. Legend 2
Historically, the Song Dynasty's mission to Korea, the maritime traffic in the Yuan Dynasty, Zheng He's voyage to the West in the Ming Dynasty and the recovery of Taiwan Province in the Qing Dynasty all reflected the characteristics of marine culture. Before sailing out to sea, the Han people always offer sacrifices to Mazu, praying for a safe journey, and set Mazu as a shrine on the ship, so this custom gradually formed.
The influence of Mazu culture;
1, the influence of Mazu culture on navigation.
In the Song Dynasty when Mazu lived, maritime activities and navigation began to flourish, and the trade and fishery in Haikou developed day by day, and goods were transported and exported to the north continuously. But at the same time, due to the underdeveloped technology at that time, shipwrecks often occurred. So people's pursuit of peace has become an extremely urgent desire, and Mazu has played a great role in stabilizing people's hearts.
2. Mazu cultural exchange has promoted the national emotional exchange between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Since immigrants brought Mazu belief to Taiwan Province in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Mazu belief has become an important part of the social psychology of the people in Taiwan Province, and has a profound impact on the daily life and way of thinking of the people in Taiwan Province. Inspired by Mazu culture, hundreds of thousands of Taiwan Province compatriots come to Mazu Tempel on Meizhou Island in Putian to worship each year. Regular pilgrimage to Chinese mainland ancestral temple is the most unique feature of Mazu belief, and pilgrimage is the most important social activity for Mazu believers in Taiwan Province.
Reference to the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia-Mazu