Mazu
Also known as Tianhou, Tianfei, the Queen of Heaven, Heavenly Queen, Celestial Queen, Sea Goddess, Heavenly Consort, the Consort of Heaven
Mazu or Matsu is a sea goddess in Chinese folk religion, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. She is also known by several other names and titles. Mazu is the deified form of Lin Moniang (), a shamaness from Fujian who is said to have lived in the late 10th century. After her death, she became revered as a tutelary deity of Chinese seafarers, including fishermen and sailors.
Key facts
- Deity.type
- Chinese
- Deity.other_names
- Lin Mo
- Deity.member_of
- Immortals of the Water Palace (水闕仙班)
- Deity.image
- Wood Statue of Mazu Late 19th century CE Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 CE) China.jpg
- Deity.caption
- 19th-century wooden Mazu statue, Field Museum of Natural History
- Deity.deity_of
- Goddess of Sea, Heavenly Consort
- Deity.symbols
- Ruyi ScepterGolden personal sealPoePearlPalace lanternJade sailWeaving needleSea snail shellGolden Anchor
- Deity.parents
- Lin Yuan (Father)Lady Wang (Mother)
- Deity.gender
- Female
- Deity.temple
- Mazu Temple
- Deity.birth_name
- Lin Mo
- Deity.birth_date
Article
14 sectionsContents
- Names and titles
- History
- Legend
- Myths
- Legacy
- Worship
- Pilgrimages
- Use in pro-CCP influence operations
- In art
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Citations
- Bibliography
Mazu or Matsu is a sea goddess in Chinese folk religion, Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. She is also known by several other names and titles. Mazu is the deified form of Lin Moniang (), a shamaness from Fujian who is said to have lived in the late 10th century. After her death, she became revered as a tutelary deity of Chinese seafarers, including fishermen and sailors.
Her worship spread throughout China's coastal regions and overseas Chinese communities throughout Southeast Asia, where some Mazu temples are affiliated with famous Taiwanese temples. Traditionally, Mazu was believed to roam the seas, safeguarding her devotees through miraculous interventions. Her modern worship has expanded beyond the sea, however, and she is considered a Queen of Heaven.