Center of belief

All along the southeastern coast of China, the worship of the sea goddess Mazu shows how people expressed their hope to survive perilous voyages. Originally named Lin Mo, the woman born on Meizhou Island of Fujian province during the Song Dynasty, gradually became the main deity among seafarers setting off from Quanzhou. According to local mythology, she was able to rescue people in danger, drive away plagues, and predict the weather.

Tianhou Temple, which is located on the gateway leading to the ancient port of Quanzhou, is a key venue for people to pay homage to Mazu.

First built in 1196 as the oldest remnant Mazu temple, it was also among the highest-ranking institutions in the belief system, according to He Zhenliang, a veteran researcher of local history in Quanzhou. He was also former director of the administration overseeing the temple.

"The official sacrificial ritual has also been regularly hosted since the Song Dynasty throughout ancient China," He says. "That also shows how the state mixed folk belief to jointly promote maritime trade."

In 1329, in a Yuan Dynasty royal sacrificial eulogy, the Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou was clarified as "the origin" of Mazu belief, and He says it also marked Mazu being raised to a national-level patronage god from a regional deity.

"Spreading the belief system indicated the prosperous business here," He says. "The temple bears testimony to the development of the commercial district on the city's south side under the effects of maritime trade."