What is Mazu (goddess)?
[[Image:Mazu.jpg|thumb|Mazu]] '''Mazu''', also known as '''Matsu''', is a popular [[Taoist]] and [[Chinese Buddhism|Chinese Buddhist]] goddess. She is the goddess and patroness of the sea. She is believed to protect fisherman and sailors. Mazu is widely worshiped in southern China, Vietnam, [[Taiwan]], Zhejiang, Fuijian, Guangdong and Hainan. She is popularly known as Empress of Heaven and Holy Mother Empress of Heaven. Her other popular titles are Holy Mother Empress of the Heavens above, Heavenly Imperial Concubine, Lady Mazu, Heavenly Princess consort and Heavenly Holy Mother. == Life and Death == Mazu was born on 23 March 906. According to legend when she did not cry when she was born, so she was thereafter named Lin Moniang which means ''Silent girl'' or ''silent young female''. She had a mysterious ability to predict weather and often she warned others to not make journeys to the sea. She became a very good swimmer and would often rescue people from the sea even in the harshest weather. There are at least 2 versions of her death. * One legend tells that Mazu went out into the sea during a storm to try to find her lost father. Hours passed but still she could not find her father and later died of exhaustion. * Another legend tells that Mazu climbed a mountain alone and flew into the heavens and became a goddess. [[Image:Mazu_Tomb.jpg|thumb|Mazu]] === Worship === After her death, her family and many other families of sailors and fishermen started to pray for her heroic acts to try to save those at sea. Soon her worship spread quickly to other parts of Asia. Starting from Fuijian, worship of Mazu spread to neighboring coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Guandong, and thence to all coastal areas of mainland China. Later, due to Chinese immigrants, the worship of Mazu further spread to Taiwan, Vietnam, [[Japan]], Ryuku Islands, and parts of [[Southeast Asia]]. Many people soon began to build temples dedicated to Mazu all over the world. [[Image:南沙天后宮3.JPG|thumb|南沙天后宮]] ==== Appearance ==== Mazu is usual