Following behind sea travel, exploration and colonization, faith in Matsu spread across the whole country and beyond. Tracing the development of the cult of Matsu would also end up depicting a maritime history of China.
隨著歷代中國對海外的探勘、移民，香火更隨船傳向全國及外域。媽祖信仰的擴展，可以勾畫出一部中國海洋發展簡史。