Why do people in Taiwan Province and Macau believe in Mazu?

Mazu, also known as Tian Fei, Tianhou, Tianfei and Tiannv, is a marine protector worshipped by Chinese in the southeast coast of China and overseas. Taoism's "Taishang Laojun said Tian Fei's efficacy in relieving suffering" said that Taishang Laojun named Mazu as "the pure spirit of supporting the bucket to show filial piety should help the country and protect the people, and the wonderful spirit should show Hong Ren Puji Tian Fei". The record of Mazu can be traced back to the Northern Song Dynasty. Mazu was originally Du Yuan's daughter named Mo Niang. She was born in the first year of Stegosaurus in Song Taizu (960) and died in the fourth year of Yongxi in Song Taizong (987) at the age of 28. When Lin Moniang was born, the room was full of red light and strange gas. Because I was born with a full moon and didn't smell crying, I was named Mo Niang. When Lin Moniang was eight years old, she studied in a school and liked to burn incense and worship Buddha. Thirteen-year-old Taoist secret method. At the age of sixteen, he was able to cross the sea to save people. After ascension, there are prayers to answer. Since Xuanhe, it has been sealed nine times in the Song Dynasty. Its title, Shao Xi of Song Guangzong (1 190), was promoted from "Lady" to "Princess", then to "Tian Fei" of Yuan Shizu, and then to "Tianhou" of Kangxi in Qing Dynasty. During Jiaqing period of Qing Dynasty, the title of Mazu had accumulated to twenty-eight. Mazu's main miracle is to help those who were killed at sea. According to legend, Mazu has a follower who is clairvoyant and can be rescued thousands of miles away. Mazu often wears red clothes and travels between islands by clouds. If the sea breeze blows suddenly and the ship is wrecked, just recite Mazu's holy name and Mazu will be there to help. According to Tian Fei's Classic of Effective Relief for Suffering, what Mazu saved was "capsizing, hurting people's lives, hurting people's lives, and dying people's lives, and there is no way to get rid of them". Later, Mazu's function was slightly expanded. The same scripture also says, "If businessmen sit idle, buy and sell wealth, or farm workers' skills, grow businesses, or deploy troops, or have difficulties in bearing children", "or get sick", "But those who can respect me and call me by my name will feel lucky at that time, so that I can get what I want and get what I want. "So, there are also people who take Mazu as their godmother.

Mazu Tempel is mostly built in the southeast coastal areas of China, among which Mazu Tempel in Quanzhou, Fujian Province is the ancestral home. There are 5 10 Mazu Tempel in Taiwan Province province alone, among which there are 39 temples whose history can be tested, of which 2 were built in Ming dynasty and 37 in Qing dynasty. March 23rd is Mazu's birthday every year. Mazu Tempel, represented by Mazu Tempel in Putian, Fujian Province and Temple of Heaven in Beigang, Taiwan Province, held a memorial service and a tour for Mazu. Mazu has a large number of believers and its incense is flourishing, which is still the case today. The statue of Mazu in Taiwan Province Chaotian Palace was invited from Meizhou, Putian, so it is considered as a "pistachio" in Mazu Tempel, Putian. Therefore, every few years, it is necessary to carry the statue of Mazu back to Meizhou to hang incense, to show the worship of Mazu, and also to investigate the memory of ancestors.