Mazu culture is the general name of the material and spiritual wealth left by the working people in the process of respecting and believing in Mazu for thousands of years, and it is the treasure of China traditional culture.
Mazu is a traditional folk belief circulating in the coastal areas of China. Mazu culture began in Song Dynasty, became in Yuan Dynasty, flourished in Ming Dynasty, flourished in Qing Dynasty and flourished in modern times. Mazu culture embodies the characteristics of China's marine culture. Historically, the trip to Korea in the Song Dynasty, 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 on the sea, people in China should offer sacrifices to Mazu before the ship sails, and pray for a safe journey, and set Mazu as a shrine on the ship. This is a true portrayal of "where there is sea water, there are Chinese, and there are Chinese Mazu". As far as the influence is concerned, Mazu has evolved from a maritime relationship to a "sea god" and a "escort goddess", thus forming one of the most important folk worship gods in China in the history of marine culture.
In 1980s, relevant UN agencies awarded Mazu the title of "Goddess of Peace". In September, 2009, "Mazu belief custom" was listed in the representative list of world intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Mazu Tempel in Meizhou has also been selected as one of the first batch of cultural relics declared as world cultural heritage in China Historic Site of China Maritime Silk Road.
Mazu culture is the representative of marine culture in China, not only in China, but also in the world. According to incomplete statistics, there are more than 5,000 Mazu Tempel in the world, with more than 200 million Mazu followers, especially in countries along the Maritime Silk Road.
Due to the unique historical development conditions and spread scope, Mazu belief not only has the characteristics of destiny culture, but also is a symbol of national culture. Overseas, many Chinese gathering places, because of their recognition of Mazu culture, regard Tianhou Palace as the core and main place of community activities. ...
In the eyes of residents in the southeast coastal areas of China, Mazu is the supreme goddess of protecting the sea. In Fujian and Taiwan Province provinces, there are Mazu sacrificial temples everywhere, and various sacrificial activities are held every year.
According to the history of Song Dynasty, Mazu was the 22nd granddaughter of King Jin 'an in Fujian. Lin is a noble family in Putian, Fujian. Mazu's father Lin Wei and his mother Wang Shiduo do good deeds and accumulate virtue. One night, Wang dreamed that Guanyin Bodhisattva kindly said to her, "Your family has accumulated virtue and done good deeds. Now I'll give you a pill. You deserve the gift from Tzu Chi. " So she got pregnant. When the king was about to give birth, he saw a red light coming into the room from the northwest, which was dazzling and fragrant for a long time. I heard it rumbling everywhere, like thunder in spring, slowly turning purple. Wang felt a vibration in his abdomen and Mazu was born. Because of the strange life, I love it very much. She was born on a full moon and didn't cry. Her father named her "Mo".
According to folklore, Mazu was proficient in magic and medical skills before his death, saving all beings, especially protecting fishermen, and there were still signs of salvation after his death. So the people she saved built a small temple to commemorate her.
After that, it is said that when the boatman encounters rough waves at sea, as long as he shouts "Mazu help", the sea will be calm. The news spread like wildfire, and Mazu relics soon spread all over the southeast coast. The common people praised and revered her, and the rulers of past dynasties praised her many times, from his wife to the princess, to the queen of heaven, and finally to the goddess of heaven, which made Mazu worship more and more developed. But she is still commonly known as "Mazu" among the people.
With the passage of time, the influence of Mazu worship is growing. With Fujian as the center, there are Mazu Tempel and Mazu worship activities in Ningbo, Shanghai, Nanjing, Yantai, Tianjin, Qinhuangdao and Dandong in the north, Guangzhou, Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan in the south, and even Jiangxi, Anhui and Guizhou in the mainland. In Taiwan Province Province, the activities of believing in Mazu and worshiping Mazu are more extreme. Among the population of 2 1 10,000 in Taiwan Province Province, nearly13 believe in and worship Mazu, and there are nearly a thousand Mazu Tempel in Taiwan Province Province. There are nearly a thousand.
In the southeast coast, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, Mazu Tempel (also known as "Tianhou Palace") is also one of the most popular temples. Every holiday, thousands of good men and women will burn incense to worship, making Mazu Tempel, big and small, crowded and filled with incense. In the process of worship, people sincerely pray for the protection of the Virgin Mary in the spirit of heaven and make their families happy and safe. Especially on Mazu's birthday on March 23rd of the lunar calendar, various colorful celebrations are held in various places, which become the climax of religious activities every year.
Due to the worship of Mazu, a variety of Mazu culture and customs have been formed. Mazu customs include Mazu dancing, Mazu lanterns, no hunting after Mazu Festival, dragon boat hanging, 10% off rice and rye, half red trousers, women's sail bun and stealing Mazu shoes, among which several customs of stealing Mazu shoes are the most magical and interesting.
In addition, it is believed that any married childless woman who wants to have children can steal a shoe from Mazu's foot in Mazu Tempel and get pregnant. When you steal something, you must break a cup first. If it's one yin and one yang, it means Mazu agrees to steal, otherwise it can't be stolen. If you get pregnant after stealing for three months, you should go to the temple to thank humbly. When the child is born at the full moon, he should fulfill his vows and make a pair of new shoes for Mazu to wear. It is said that stealing Mazu shoes to beg for a child is very effective, so in women's hearts, Mazu's position is supreme. In this way, Mazu is no longer just the patron saint of fishermen, boatmen and other people from all walks of life, but also plays the role of fertility god, which shows the high expectations and worship of the people.