妈祖 (Māzǔ) · Mazu, goddess of the sea worshipped along the…

Meanings

1 Mazu, goddess of the sea worshipped along the southeast coast of China, in Taiwan and among overseas Chinese

About Mazu

Sea goddess who protects fishermen and sailors, said to have been 林默, a fisherman's daughter from 湄洲岛 in Fujian. Her temples line the coasts of Fujian, Guangdong and Taiwan, and Macau's A-Ma Temple is hers.

Also called 天后、天上圣母、天妃、林默

Characters

Examples

HSK 7-9

很多渔民出海前都会去拜妈祖。

Hěnduō yúmín chūhǎi qián dōu huì qù bài Māzǔ.

Many fishermen go to pray to Mazu before heading out to sea.

HSK 7-9

农历三月二十三是妈祖的生日，各地都会举行庆祝活动。

Nónglì sānyuè èrshísān shì Māzǔ de shēngrì, gèdì dōu huì jǔxíng qìngzhù huódòng.

The 23rd day of the third lunar month is Mazu's birthday, and celebrations are held in many places.

Tips

history

Legend says she never cried as a baby, so she was named 默 'silent'. Emperors raised her rank over the centuries, from 夫人 'lady' in 1156 to 天妃 under the Yuan and 天后 under the Qing, and Mazu belief joined UNESCO's intangible heritage list in 2009.

culture

Taiwan's Dajia pilgrimage carries her palanquin from 大甲 to 新港 and back over nine days, and pilgrims kneel in the road so it passes over them. Macau's name is said to come from its harbour temple to her, the A-Ma Temple (妈阁庙).