"Tin Hau" redirects here. For other meanings of "Tin Hau", see Tin Hau (disambiguation). A statue of Mazu in Kinmen Matsu Park, Quemoy The tallest Mazu statue in the world, Sinwu, Taoyuan County, Taiwan Mazu (traditional Chinese: 媽祖; simplified Chinese: 妈祖; pinyin: Māzǔ; Wade--Giles : Ma1-tsu3), also spelt Matsu and Ma-tsu, is the Chinese goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors. The worship of Mazu began in the Song Dynasty. Mazu is widely worshiped in the southeastern coastal regions of China, especially in Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, and Hainan. She is also an important deity in Taiwan. Mazu is also worshiped in East and Southeast Asia. Her birthplace was Meizhou (湄州) in Putian County (莆田縣), Fujian Province.[1] She was born in the year 960.[1] Her family had the surname Lin (林).[1][2] She had the name Lin Moniang (Chinese: 林默娘). She died on 4 October 987.[1] After her death, she was remembered as a young lady in a red dress, who would forever roam over the seas.[1] According to legend, Lin Moniang was born on March 23, 960 (during the Song Dynasty) as the seventh daughter of Lin Yuan (林愿) on Meizhou Island, Fujian. She did not cry when she was born, thus she was given the name with the meaning "Silent Girl." Although she started swimming relatively late at the age of 15, she soon became an excellent swimmer. She wore red garments while standing on the shore to guide fishing boats home, even in the most dangerous and harsh weather. According to legend, Lin Moniang's father and brothers were fishermen. One day, a terrible typhoon arose while they were out at sea, and the rest of her family feared that those at sea had perished. In the midst of this storm, depending on the version of the legend, she fell into a trance while praying for the lives of her father and brothers or dreamed of her father and brothers while she was sleeping or sitting at a loom weaving. In both versions of the story, her father and brother were drowning but Moniang's mother discovered her sleeping and tried to wake her. This diverted Moniang's attention and caused her to drop her brother who drowned as a result. Consequently, Moniang's father returned alive and told the other villagers that a miracle had happened.[4] Other versions of the story relate to four drowning brothers, with three returning and the fourth lost to her being revived (with no mention of a father).[5] Mazu is usually depicted together with two guardian generals known as "Thousand Miles Eye" (千里眼, Qianli Yan) and "With-the-Wind Ear" (順風耳 Shunfeng Er). Though their iconography can vary, both are usually represented as demons; "Thousand Miles Eye" is often red with two horns, while "With-the-Wind Ear" is green with one horn. They are said to have been two demons whom Mazu conquered. The both of them were in love with her, but she said she would marry the one who defeated her. Using her martial arts skills, Mazu defeated them both and they became her friends.[6] Mazu herself is usually depicted wearing a red robe in paintings or murals, but in sculpture is always clothed in the jewel-festooned robes of an empress holding either a ceremonial tablet or a jeweled staff whilst wearing the easily recognized flat-topped imperial cap with hanging beads at the front and back.[7] Malaysia has a long history of Taoist religion ever since the Chinese from Southern China settled in South East Asia region. The famous Thean Hou Temple (Chinese:馬来西亚吉隆坡天后宫) situated in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia is a famous tourist destination in Asia. Many other temples and statues are found throughout the country. Every year, the Nine Emperor Gods Festival is celebrated, especially in Penang whilst the Birthday of Mazu celebrated throughout the country. A major project to build the world's tallest Mazu statue on the Northernmost tip of Borneo at Kudat was officially launched by the leader and people of Sabah recently. The statue was to be 10-stories high and would draw millions of tourists to the country every year. This project has however been canceled due to protests from a few Muslims in Sabah and some political interference.[citation needed] In Kampung Tok'kong, an isolated village far from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, also conducts a celebration at the village temple of 'Seng Choon Keong (圣春宫)'. Mazu followers go there to pay homage to Mazu and offer prayers for health and wealth as well as for personal safety and security. Every Friday, some believers go there to seek priests to ask for fortune and security from Mazu. God also is the medium for their follower to settle their blind mindset to face their personal problem. The sea goddess who is extensively worshiped around South China Sea.

• published: 22 Apr 2014
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