The ocean's presence allowed the Aborigines of Taiwan to live in undisturbed isolation in the island's mountain forests. And it also allowed the junks that came into widespread use along the Chinese coast during the 17th century to bring over to Taiwan Chinese settlers and opportunities for trade, as well as worship of Taoist deities such as Mazu, the Goddess of seafarers, and Wangye, the god of pestilence.
海洋的出現，讓原住民得以遺世獨居在台灣島上的山林裡，也讓 17 世紀開始大量出現在中國近海地區的舢舨船（或稱「戎克船」），為台灣帶來移民與通商的契機，也帶來媽祖與王爺信仰。