Taiwan Mosaic – Mazu and Mazu Culture,30 May to 3 June

cctv.com 05-30-2005 14:41

Over 1,000 years ago, a beautiful young girl by the name of Lin Mu was born at the Xianliang Port of Meizhou Bay in Putian, Fujian Province. Clever, brave and kindhearted, Lin Mu could forecast the weather and was happy to help fishermen in distress at sea. She encouraged the people to conquer nature and defeat evil, so she was much loved and esteemed by the people in her hometown. Unfortunately she died an early death at only 28. As the legend goes, she ascended to heaven and became an immortal at Meizhou Bay located opposite to the Xianliang Port.

For more over 1,000 years, she has been living, with a composed and tender smile, in the hearts of the people. The people pay homage to her, respectfully calling her fairy, the daughter of dragon, Goddess, the mother or Mazu (a title of respect for an aged woman).

Rulers of past dynasties upheld her and granted her the titles of "Lady", "Heavenly Queen" and "Holy Mother"; the times have bestowed her a series of loveable and respected names such as "Goddess of the Sea", "Goddess of the Strait" and "Goddess of Peace of the Strait".

Following the footprints of sea merchants and overseas Chinese, Mazu went out of Putian, out of Fujian and out of China, making her presence in many corners of Asia, America, Australia and Europe. Consequently, over 1,500 Mazu temples are found all over the world, where Mazu from Meizhou are consecrated. The belief in Mazu has become a sort of transnational folk belief with more than 100 million worshippers.

For geographical and historical reasons, the belief in Mazu on Taiwan has turned out to be a popular belief. According to statistics, around two-thirds of the population on Taiwan believe in Mazu, and more than 500 Mazu temples are scattered on the island.

In the wake of improving relations between both sides of the Taiwan Strait, tens of thousands of Taiwan compatriots swarmed to the Meizhou Island every year to dedicate their piety at Mazu temples to fulfill their sincere wish, which they had cherished for decades.

Taiwan Mosaic, 30 May to 3 June, CCTV-4, at 18:45 Beijing Time.

Editor:Wang Ping  Source:CCTV.com