The belief function of Mazu culture

God of Navigation and Guardian God of the Sea The development of navigation and foreign trade during the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the continuous emergence of immigrants and expatriates, and the canonization and promotion of the ruling class are the historical reasons why Mazu became a famous sea god. People worshiped Mazu as the God of the Sea. It started among the Han people and spread with witchcraft as the core. It was passed down among the nation and then spread among the court officials.

Assisted in water transport, Mazu spread rapidly in the Yuan Dynasty. In addition to navigation reasons, it was also related to the change of water transport to sea routes in the Yuan Dynasty. Mazu belief gradually expanded, from the coast of Southeast Asia to the Beijing and Tianjin areas in the north. Mazu belief has Recognized by the Central Dynasty.

The God of Rain Asks for Rain. Our country is a major agricultural country. Rainwater is not only the source of food, but also an indispensable condition for agricultural production. Coastal areas also regard Mazu, who dominates maritime activities, as the god of rain. From a historical perspective, witches and nuns are the main worshipers who pray for rain. Since Mazu was a witch in life and a god in death, she naturally has an inextricable connection with rain. After the Song and Yuan Dynasties, with the development of maritime trade and fishery and animal husbandry in southern Fujian, the number of boatmen and fishermen who made a living by boating gradually increased. Facing the capricious sea, they could only get some spiritual comfort from praying to the gods for protection. The belief in Mazu spread, and the praise of Mazu from emperors of the past dynasties gradually increased.

In the beginning, Mazu Temple was just a miscellaneous temple on the seaside of Putian. In the fourth year of Xuanhe of the Song Dynasty (AD 1122), consul Lu Yundi was envoy to Korea, and his ship encountered a storm in the Yellow River. It happened that the sailors on this ship were hired from Putian. They prayed to Mazu in times of crisis, and the crisis was finally turned into safety. After returning to the country, he petitioned the imperial court, and Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty granted the temple to Shunji. Shunji Temple was the Mazu Temple in Ninghaidun (Shengdun) at that time, and Mazu belief was recognized by the imperial court.

In the twenty-fifth year of Shaoxing, Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty (1155 AD), he was granted the title of Mrs. Chongfu, which was the earliest tribute to Mazu.

In the twenty-sixth year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty (AD 1156), Chen Junqing, a native of Putian, was the prime minister of the dynasty and believed in Mazu, so he petitioned the court to confer the title of Lady Linghui on Mazu.

Until the 11th year of Tongzhi (1872), when it was time to add another title, "After review by the Ministry of Rites, it was deemed that the title had too many fonts and was not enough to show solemnity, so only the word 'Jiayou' was added." .

In this way, from the fourth year of Xuanhe (AD 1122) by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty to the eleventh year of Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty, 14 emperors from four dynasties successively granted her 36 titles, with the longest title being 64 characters. From "Madam", "Tianfei", "Tianhou" to "Heavenly Madonna", it has reached an unparalleled level.

In the fifty-eighth year of Kangxi (1719 AD), Mazu, Confucius, Guandi, etc. were included in the highest local sacrifices in the Qing Dynasty. It was stipulated that local officials must personally preside over the two Spring and Autumn Festival sacrifices, kneel three times and kowtow nine times. The ceremony was included in the national sacrificial ceremony, making her the "goddess of the sea" respected by all.

Dynasty title (time) title

Mrs. Chongfu in the 25th year of Shaoxing, Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty (1155)

The 26th year of Shaoxing, Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty (1156) Mrs. Linghui

In the 30th year of Emperor Gaozong’s reign in Shaoxing (1160), Mrs. Linghui Zhaoying was born

In the third year of Emperor Xiaozong’s reign (1167), Mrs. Linghui Zhaoying was Chongfu Madam

In the 11th year of Chunxi reign of Emperor Xiaozong (1184), Concubine Linghui Zhaoying Chongfu Shanli Madam

Concubine Linghui in the 3rd year of Emperor Guangzong Shaoxi period (1192 years)

< p>In the fourth year of Qingyuan of Ningzong (1198), Linghui assisted Concubine Shunxian

In the first year of Jiading of Ningzong (1208), Cunlinghui assisted Concubine Shunxian

Ningzong In the tenth year of Jiading (1217), Linghui assisted Shunxian, the heroic concubine of the Wei Dynasty

In the third year of Emperor Jiaxi of Emperor Lizong (1239), Linghui assisted Shunxian, the heroic concubine of the Wei Dynasty (1239)

Li Zongbao In the second year of Hu (1254), Linghui assisted Shun Jiaying and the heroic concubine was sealed up

In the third year of Lizong Baohu (1255), Linghui assisted Shun Jiaying Tzu Chi

In the fourth year of Emperor Baohu's reign (1256), Linghui Xianji was granted the title Concubine Zhengjiaying Ciji; she was granted the title of Concubine Linghui Xiezhengjiaying, Shanqing Concubine

In the third year of Lizong Jingding's reign (1262), Linghui Xianji was Concubine Jiaying Shanqing

In the eighteenth year of the reign of Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty (1281), he protected the country and showed his blessings

In the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty (1289), he protected the country and showed his blessings Mingzhu Tianfei

In the third year of Chengzu's Dade (1299), she protected the country and assisted the saints in protecting the people. In the second year of Emperor Wenzong’s calendar (1329), in the second year of Emperor Wenzong’s calendar (1329), the auxiliary saints of the country bless Guangji and the imperial concubine Mingzhu of Ming Dynasty< /p>

In the fifth year of Emperor Taizu Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1372), Zhaoying was pure and pure, and he was inspired by the concubine of Fuji

In the seventh year of Emperor Taizu Yongle (1409), he protected the country and sheltered the people, and the wonderful spirit Zhaoying Hongren Puji Tianfei

In the 19th year of Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1680), she protected the country and sheltered the people. The wonderful spirit Zhaoying Hongren Puji Heavenly Virgin

In the 23rd year of Kangxi reign (1684), she protected the country and sheltered the country. In the second year of Qianlong's reign (1737), the wonderful souls of the people Zhaoying Hongren and universal blessings bless all living beings, the Queen of Heaven

In the 22nd year of Qianlong's reign (1757) Year) Protecting the country and sheltering the people, the wonderful spirit Zhao Ying Hong Ren Pu Ji bless all living beings Sincere gratitude to Xianfu Tianhou All living beings are sincerely grateful to Xianfu for showing his deity and praising shuntianhou

In the fifth year of Jiaqing (1800), the wonderful spirit Zhao Ying Hongren provided blessings to all living beings by protecting the country and sheltering the people. The Queen of Heaven

In the sixth year of Daoguang (1826), she protected the country and sheltered the people. The wonderful spirit Zhao Ying Hongren prayed for blessings and blessed all living beings. She sincerely expressed her gratitude to Xianfu for showing her deity and praising her for her obedience and kindness. She bless An Lan and bring good luck to the Queen of Heaven

< p>In the 19th year of Daoguang's reign (1839), he protected the country and sheltered the people, and the wonderful spirit Zhao Ying Hongren and universal aid blessed all living beings. In the twenty-eighth year (1848), he protected the country and sheltered the people, and the wonderful spirit Zhao Ying Hongren Puji bless all living beings with sincerity and sincerity. >In the second year of Xianfeng (1852), he protected the country and sheltered the people, and the wonderful spirit Zhao Ying Hongren Puji bless all living beings. Sincere gratitude to Xianfu for showing God, praising Shunchui for kindness and blessing Anlan for good luck. Tan Haiyu Tianbo Xuanhui, diversion and Yanqing Queen

In the third year of Xianfeng (1853), he protected the country and sheltered the people, and the wonderful spirit Zhao Ying Hongren universally aided and blessed all living beings. Qingjing Yangxizhi Tianhou

In the fifth year of Xianfeng (1855), she protected the country and sheltered the people. The wonderful spirit Zhaoying Hongren universally helped bless all living beings. Sincere gratitude to Xianfu for showing his god, praising him for his kindness and blessings for Anlan and Li Yunze. Qin Haiyu Tianbo Xuanhui, diversion, celebration, Jingyang, Xizhi, Zhou Depu and Tianhou

In the fifth year of Xianfeng (1855), the country was protected and the people were protected. Be kind and sincere, bless Anlan and benefit luck, Tan Haiyu, Tianbo, propagate benefits, guide people, Yanqing, Jingyang, Xizhien, Zhou Depu, Wei Cao, Baotai Tianhou

In the seventh year of Xianfeng (1857), he protected the country and sheltered the people, and the wonderful spirit Zhao Ying Hongren Puji bless all living beings, sincere feelings, Xianfu manifested the gods, praised obediently, kindly and sincerely bless Anlan, benefited fortunes, Tan Haiyu, Tianbo, Xuanhui, guided the flow, Yanqing, Jingyang, Xizhien, Zhou Depu, Wei Cao, Baotai, Zhenwu, Suijiang, the Queen of Heaven, the God of Song Yongxi in the fourth year ( 987), after Mazu ascended to heaven, people worshiped the sea god and built a temple on Meizhou Island to offer sacrifices. This temple was the earliest Mazu temple. Meizhou Mazu Temple is the ancestor of all Mazu temples in the world, and all Mazu temples in the world are "separated" from Meizhou. Wherever there are Chinese, there is Mazu Temple. According to the latest figures provided by the "World Encyclopedia of Mazu Temples", there are nearly 5,000 Mazu temples around the world, spread over more than 20 countries and regions, with nearly 200 million believers.

Putian area is the birthplace of Mazu belief, with hundreds of Mazu temples; Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hainan and the northeastern cities of Shanghai, Jiangsu, Beijing, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Hunan, Guizhou, Mazu temples are also built in Liaoning, Jilin and other places. Two-thirds of the population in Taiwan believe in Mazu, and there are more than 500 Mazu temples on the island. There are also more than 50 Mazu temples in Hong Kong and Macao. The areas with densest Mazu temples abroad are Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia, and others are distributed in the United States, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, North Korea, Norway, Denmark, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, and Africa.

Mazu temples have different names in different places. They are sometimes called Tianfei Palace, Tianhou Palace, Mazu Temple, or Tianhou Temple, Notre Dame Altar, Wenyuan Hall, Chaotian Palace, Tianhou Temple, Anlan Hall, and Shuangci Pavilion. , Fanyang Hall, etc. Among these Mazu temples, there are Mazu Temple in Meizhou, Fujian (987), Tianhou Temple in Tianjin (1326), Chaotian Temple in Beigang, Taiwan (1694) (the above are regarded as the three largest Mazu temples in the world), Tianhou Palace in Quanzhou, Fujian (1196), Tianhou Palace in Zhijiang, Hunan (1748), Tianhou Palace in Penghu, Taiwan (1592), Tianhou Palace in Penglai Pavilion (1122), Xianying Palace in Miaodao, Changdao (1122), and Tianhou Palace in Ningbo Namely, the Qing'an Association (1853), Thean Hou Temple in Macau (2003), and the Thian Hock Temple in Singapore are all very distinctive in terms of age, scale, status and influence, and are among the best in Mazu temple architecture.

Quanzhou Tianhou Temple has always been considered to be the largest temple worshiping Mazu with higher architectural specifications at home and abroad. It is the third batch of national key cultural protection units.

Historical records show that Quanzhou Tianhou Palace was built in the second year of Qingyuan of the Song Dynasty (1196). It is said that in that year, "Monk Jue Quanmeng of Haichao Temple in Quanzhou, Quanzhou, ordered the palace to be built, and it was built on the initiative of Xu Shichang, a native of Tili. It was actually the confluence of the two streams of the Xun River in the Wujiang River, and the gathering place for passenger ships. At that time, Luocheng was still The Mazu Palace built at that time was already very large, with three halls, a mountain gate, two corridors and two pavilions. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, Quanzhou was as famous as Alexandria in Egypt. It was one of the two largest trading ports in the world and had trade relations with Asian countries and regions. At the same time, Quanzhou's shipbuilding industry is also famous in the world. "Most of the country's ships for sea trade were built in Guangzhou and Quanzhou." In the Song Dynasty, the local governor of Quanzhou and officials of the Municipal Shipping Department held "wind prayers" and "sea sacrifices" in spring and autumn every year. "The ceremony prays for calm winds and calm sailing, so as to encourage the development of foreign trade. Initially, the sea worship ceremony was held at the Zhenwu Temple on the Jinjiang River, and the wind prayer ceremony was held at Jiuri Mountain in Nan'an County. However, in the late Southern Song Dynasty, the ceremony was replaced by the ceremony at Shunji Palace. During the Song, Yuan and Ming dynasties, officials were often sent to offer sacrifices. In the 59th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1720), the Spring and Autumn Festival festivals were designated. Since then, official sacrifices at Shunji Palace have become a regular practice.

In the Yuan Dynasty, Quanzhou Port became more prosperous, with more than 90 countries doing business overseas, and sometimes more than 300 giant ships at sea entered the port. In order to facilitate smooth water and sea transportation, the emperors of the Yuan Dynasty also consecrated Mazu many times to pray for Mazu's blessing. In the 18th year of the Yuan Dynasty, Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty once again issued an edict, "Send the official Xuande to envoy Zuo Deputy Du and the Fujian Dao Shibo Secretary to promote Pu Shiwen as the imperial concubine who protects the country and the Ming Dynasty." Pu Shiwen from Quanzhou (his father Pu Shougeng) was specially assigned , served in the Song Dynasty and was promoted to the Bureau of Ships in Quanzhou City. He entered the Yuan Dynasty and became an official in Fujian Province. Zuocheng, who was good at making profits for thirty years) was canonized as a minister. He held sacrifices and commended Tianfei in Quanzhou Tianfei Palace. ceremony. In the third year of Dade (1299), on February 20th, Emperor Wenzong of the Yuan Dynasty issued an edict, "Add the Quanzhou Poseidon to protect the country and protect the people." In the edict, Mazu was directly called the "Quanzhou Poseidon". Mazu’s position as Poseidon is further clarified. In the second year of Tianli (1329), Emperor Wenzong of the Yuan Dynasty ordered the Hanlin Academy to draw up a memorial ceremony and send officials to the Xiangyi Palace to offer sacrifices. The memorial text says: "Holy virtues are bound to the ends of the universe, and southern Fujian began to prosper. The jade chariot soared up, and the fragrance of heaven appeared. The wind and waves overseas were calm, and the phoenixes and phoenixes soared in the world. The people's livelihood was guaranteed, and the emperor borrowed Kuangxiang. Ten thousand years of singing and banquets, "Zhaoge Shuweiyang."

The emperors of the Yuan Dynasty offered sacrifices to the imperial concubine many times in Quanzhou Port, where the Tibetan people gathered, and its great influence can be imagined.

Into the Ming Dynasty, Quanzhou Port was still an important port in the country. In the third year of Hongwu (1370), Quanzhou reestablished the Municipal Shipping Department, specializing in Ryukyu. After that, "Laiyuan Station" was set up in Cheqiao Village near Tianfei Palace to receive foreign guests from Ryukyu and other countries. In order to help Ryukyu develop its economy and culture, in the 22nd year of Hongwu (1392), Taizu of the Ming Dynasty "granted thirty-six surnames to the Fujian people" to settle in Ryukyu. Among the thirty-six surnames, Quanzhou people account for a considerable part, such as the Cai family in Nan'an, the Li family, and the Weng family in Jinjiang. They served as general officials (translators) in Ryukyu and taught boating techniques and cultural knowledge. At that time, the Ming government stipulated that a statue of Tianfei must be placed on any ship that was sealed. Before sailing overseas, the chief and deputy envoys must first go to the Tianfei Palace where the ship departed from the port to worship. After the boat arrives at its destination, the envoys must respectfully carry the Mazu shrine ashore and place it in the Tianfei Palace in the host country, where they can worship it day and night. At that time, when Fujian opened the ocean to Ryukyu, it had to pass through Cangshui and Blackwater. It was called "Cangming" in ancient times, also known as "Dongming". It was a large trench with a depth of more than 2,000 meters. The waves were rough, and sailors often got killed here. In this way, Mazu was worshiped in the boat by the "Thirty-Six Surnames of the Fujianese" and accompanied them from Quanzhou, through the waves, and successfully arrived in Ryukyu. After the "Thirty-Six Surnames of Fujian" came to Ryukyu, they built two Tianfei Palaces, the upper and lower ones, in Naha, the capital of Ryukyu, and Kume Village, where they lived. After the palaces were completed, the local local officials in Ryukyu also made regulations: "From the day the tribute ship sails to the seventh day, all young scholars from the top officials to the young scholars must pay homage to the concubine's palace for two days." All the township officials took turns to visit the temple." From this, with the continuous close exchanges between China and Ryukyu, the belief in Tianfei gradually became popular in Ryukyu.

In the fifth year of Yongle (1407), Zheng He, the Sanbao eunuch, passed through Quanzhou on his second mission to the West. He sent his envoys to worship Mazu, because the Tianfei Palace "has been around for a long time, and it is exhausted when sleeping." In the five-year special memorial, please "order Fujian Shouzhen Palace to rebuild its temple."

"In the 13th year of Yongle (1415), Zheng He's subordinate "Young Supervisor Zhang Qian sent Bo Ni (now North Kalimantan) to Huzhou, sent from Wujiang (Quanzhou), actually fought against Shen'u, and returned to the court. , reform and innovation. "In the fifteenth year of Yongle (1417), Zheng He passed through Quanzhou again on his fifth voyage to the West. After worshiping Mazu in accordance with the regulations, he went to the Islamic Holy Tomb in Lingshan to burn incense and pray for the blessings of the ancestors. The stele erected by Zheng He during his pilgrimage remains today. Still alive, the article says: "The imperial eunuch Zheng He went to Horumos in the West on official business. On May 16, the 15th year of Yongle's reign, I came here to pray for the protection of the Holy Spirit. Zhenfu Puhe diary was established. "In the 19th year of Jiajing (1540), Xu Yu, a county resident, raised funds for major renovations. He first repaired five halls, rebuilt seven sleeping halls, four pavilions, thirty rooms on both sides, and twenty-eight couplets on the east and west pavilions and Zhaiguan. Twenty-three years ( 1544) was completed.

In the Qing Dynasty, Jinghai Hou Shi Lang was ordered to conquer Taiwan and unify the motherland. He divided his troops into three groups, one of which was in the fifteenth capital of Quanzhou. : "The general of the state, Shi Lang, conquered the sea army here, and God will help him succeed. "After the pacification of Taiwan, Shi Lang was grateful for the divine grace of Yongchao Jishi. When Wan Zhengse, the admiral of the Fujian Navy who was from his hometown and the Navy, asked for the title but was not approved, he wrote to Emperor Kangxi again to apply for the title, and listed the miracles of Mazu's help. In the 23rd year of Kangxi's reign, On August 14 (1684), "General Hou Shi Langzou, Admiral of the Fujian Navy, was specially granted the title of Queen of Heaven", and the imperial envoy Yahu, a doctor from the Ministry of Rites, and others went to the Quanzhou Temple and Meizhou Ancestral Temple with royal books, incense and silk to offer sacrifices. The Tianfei Palace in Quanzhou was renamed the Tianhou Palace. In order to repay the divine favor, General Shi Lang renovated and expanded the Tianhou Palace in the 21st year of Jiaqing (1916). Rebuilt. During the Daoguang period (1830-1850), Emperor Wenzong of the Qing Dynasty named Mazu the "Heavenly Holy Mother", and the Tianhou Palace in Quanzhou underwent large-scale construction.

In the Qing Dynasty, private trade and exports to Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan were carried out. The immigration craze further arose in Quanzhou Port, and Mazu belief also spread more widely with the footprints of Quanzhou merchants and immigrants. According to historical records, Quanzhou merchants "traveled all over the world." The Pearl of the South China Sea and Yuetang Jade are everywhere; the land of tattoos and the country of carvings are everywhere. "In China, there are Panyu, Qiongzhou, Yazhou, Haojing, Hainan, Dongguan, Xuwen, Xiangshan Bromide, Chaozhou, Leizhou, Huizhou, Gaozhou, Maizhou, etc. in Guangdong; Ningbo, Shuangyu, Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Zhoushan in Jiangsu and Zhejiang , Suzhou, Nanjing, Taizhou, Linqing, etc., Nanning, Wuzhou, Luoding, Yuzhou, etc. in Guangxi, Jilong, Tamsui, Lugang, etc. in Taiwan, as well as cities such as Jingshi, Jining, Baotou, Huizhou, and Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Shandong and other provinces; within the province are Fuzhou, Xiamen, Yuegang, Zhangzhou, Jianning, etc.; abroad, there are Luzon, Siam, Batavia, Bo Ni, Java, and Champaign. Everywhere they went, they would build a guild hall and invite Mazu from their hometown to worship. There was originally a Su in the Tianhou Palace in Quanzhou. There are many shopping suburbs such as , Ning, Fu, and Liaojiao, and there is also the Lukang Suburban Court Hall. Every time the Tianhou Temple is built, all the major shopping and suburban guilds will fully support it to show their piety.

According to statistics, There are more than 800 Mazu temples in Taiwan, all of which worship the Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple in Putian. Mazu believers account for three-quarters of the total population, making it the highest level of Mazu temples in Taiwan. Judging from the above, all of them are "split spirits". One is holding Mazu's talisman or incense from the mainland to Taiwan to worship, which is called "fenxiang". The other is holding Mazu's statue from the mainland to Taiwan to worship, which is called "clone". Mazu originates from Meizhou. Its origin stems from the large-scale immigration from Fujian to Taiwan during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Mazu, formerly known as Lin Mo, was born on the 23rd day of the third lunar month in the first year of Jianlong in the Song Dynasty (AD 960). Lin Mo was born in Meizhou Island, Putian, Fujian. She was smart and enlightened at a young age, and her memory is remembered forever. She knew the astronomy and weather, was familiar with water properties, studied medicine, taught people to prevent epidemics and eliminate disasters, and devoted her life to doing good deeds and helping others. She was determined not to get married. . It is said that she can "cross the sea on a seat". She can also predict weather changes and inform boat owners in advance whether they can sail. Therefore, it is also said that she can "predict bad things" and is called "Goddess" and "Dragon Lady". On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month in 987 AD, Lin Mo ascended to heaven at the age of 28. From then on, it was said that sailors often saw Lin Mo flying on the sea in red clothes, rescuing people in distress and calling for help. Mazu statues are widely worshiped in places to pray for safe and smooth sailing. There are more than 200 million Mazu believers in Taiwan, and Mazu believers account for two-thirds of the population.

Putian was also known as "Xinghua" in ancient times. "Puyang" and "Puxian" are bounded by Fuzhou in the north, Quanzhou in the south, Daiyun Mountains in the west, and the Taiwan Strait in the southeast. It has unique Meizhou Bay islands that are "rare in the world and rare in China". It has deep-water ports and auxiliary ports such as Sanjiangkou and Fengting; it has three major bays, Meizhou Bay, Xinghua Bay, and Pinghai Bay, as well as more than 150 islands including Meizhou and Nanri. The spread of Mazu culture has benefited from China’s maritime industry. Development.

The history of the Chinese marching to the ocean is very early. During the Qin and Han Dynasties, Fang Tu Xu Fu traveled eastward three times to seek immortality. Qin Shihuang also visited the Shandong Peninsula many times. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty followed in his footsteps. Although it failed to achieve its goal, it inadvertently promoted the development of shipbuilding, navigation and port industries. Since the Han Dynasty, due to the opening of the historically famous maritime "Silk Road", Sino-foreign trade and East-West exchanges that lasted for more than 2,000 years have become the main thread running through the development of ancient Chinese society, and overseas exchanges have been flourishing and lasting.

The Eastern Maritime Silk Road, which started from Dengzhou Port, one of the "Four Major Ports" in ancient times, connected trade between China and Western countries such as North Korea and Japan, and promoted the development of the navigation industry in the Bohai Sea and Shandong Peninsula. The ocean trade of Guangzhou on the "South Road" can reach Alexandria directly. The foreign trade of Quanzhou Port can be as famous as the world-famous port of Alexandria.

By the Yuan Dynasty, due to the intrusion of Japanese pirates along the coast, maritime foreign trade was relatively weakened, but the domestic north and south The Yuli sea route and the north-south river trade were relatively strengthened. Later, due to the relative stability of political affairs in the 800th year of the founding of Beijing as the capital, domestic coastal ports also became increasingly prosperous, and gradually entered the golden age. Zheng He made seven voyages to the Western Ocean, which was earlier than Columbus's discovery of the New World. Half a century is even more unparalleled. Historical facts fully illustrate that China was the early owner of the world’s oceans. As far back as the tenth century, Chinese navigators first had compasses to ensure directional navigation of sea routes. He was also the first to invent the partitioned boat. In the event of a shipwreck at sea, even if one corner or cabin is broken, most of the hull can still float. However, although the shipbuilding and navigation technology at that time was quite advanced, due to the lack of weather forecast, it was difficult to survive at sea. The climate is changing rapidly, and a small boat is like a drop in the ocean. When violent storms arise, human actions still seem extremely small or even insignificant in front of the incomparably powerful ocean world. Therefore, it is natural to pray for the protection of gods. In the middle of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong enthroned the "Dragon King of the Four Seas" in an official form. Because it was said that he could bring wind and rain and make waves, he was worshiped by sailors as a god who subdued nature. However, this imaginary image of the natural god in the East China Sea was ugly. Dragon King Ao Guang was regarded as a fierce god in people's minds. In addition, the theory of "Five Elements and Five Yin" was prevalent at that time, which believed that "the sky belongs to Yang, the earth belongs to Yin, and the water on the ground also belongs to Yin; men belong to Yang, and women belong to Yin. The water goddess should be female to fit the principle of yin and yang of the five elements." In the early Song Dynasty, a young and beautiful Lin Mo appeared in Putian Meizhou Bay, who was brave enough to take risks at sea to save people. After his death, he was worshiped as the female sea goddess. This is a symbol of navigation. The inevitable result of historical development.

The emergence of Mazu lived up to expectations. Gao Cheng went to Ryukyu during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. There is a vivid record in his book "Shi Ryukyu Records", saying: "The boat was rocking in the storm. If the canopy is broken, the pole is broken, the rudder blade is missing, the boatman is crying, and the concubine is in the sky, the concubine Yun immediately changes the rudder to ensure safety. In the huge waves, the rudder weighs two to three thousand kilograms. Due to the divine protection, the strength is doubled. Usually more than a hundred people are needed to change the rudder. Today, the ship is in danger and more than thirty people can do it." Since the Southern Song Dynasty, it has been customary to sail with the God of the Sea in the boat to pray day and night. At first, the official government built boats to transport the national grain directly from the Jiangnan grain area to Zhigu. Later, they hired Han folk boats to charter the transportation, and private merchants also took on the responsibility of sea transportation. At one time, from Guangzhou to Tianjin Tianfei Palace, one after another This provides a glimpse into the extent of sailors’ belief in Mazu.

Zheng He also prayed in ancestral temples during his seven voyages to the West. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, a large number of Han people marched to the Nanyang Islands and carried Mazu statues on their boats. This shows that. Mazu, the "female goddess of the sea", is the patron saint of the traditional Chinese navigation industry. In addition, after accepting the spread of Mazu, the Japanese developed into the "Mazu Society" and established a worship system in the form of religion, which is called "Kai". "Like Ma", people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have the same custom of believing in Mazu. Therefore, Mazu is also the goddess of peace for Sino-foreign exchanges and communication across the Taiwan Strait, and close exchanges between compatriots. As the earliest and largest Penglai Pavilion Tianhou Temple built in ancient times in the north, Mazu is also the goddess of peace. The role played by Dengzhou Port in the spread of Mazu culture to the north and China and Eastern countries

The Penglai Pavilion Tianhou Temple was built in 1122 and is more famous than the "three largest Mazu temples in the world" in Beigang, Taiwan. Chaotian Palace, Tianjin Tianhou Palace and the earliest Penghu Tianhou Palace in Taiwan are more than 200 years old; they are also decades earlier than China's first Quanzhou Tianhou Palace (1196 AD) listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit. Historical records record: "Song Huizong. At that time, the Temple of Our Lady of Queen of Heaven was built in the west of the pavilion. In the fourth year of Xuanhe (AD 1122), forty-eight temples were planned to be built. ". As the "originator" of Mazu temples, the Meizhou Mazu Temple only had "a few rafters" when it was built. It was not until the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty that 99 dining rooms were gradually formed. This shows the scale of the Penglai Pavilion Tianhou Temple when it was built.< /p>

In addition, Changdao Xianying Palace, which is as famous as Penglai Pavilion Tianhou Palace and was once known as "the best empress temple in the world" (hence the name of the temple island), also occupies a prominent position among the Mazu temples in northern China. Seat". In the 19th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1386), Li Chongren, the congratulatory envoy of King Gongmin of Goryeo, wrote a poem praising the Dengzhou Seaway when he returned from a mission to Nanjing. Temple Island), "A Presentation to the Peers for Commenting on the Prime Minister" wrote: "The ascetic has been standing with his head raised for a long time, and the dusk scene is so tempting that he wants to compose a poem. The gods and concubines should repay their needs when they enjoy the sacrifices. If the sea is hidden, you dare not peep...". Since Penglai and Changdao are the waterway transportation hubs in the north, south and east and west of China, they have special geographical locations. When "setting sail, worship Mazu first. Every ship must have a statue of Mazu to pray to." "Under this ancient traditional and universal belief, the missions of Penglai Pavilion Tianhou Palace and Miaodao Xianying Palace can be imagined.

Xiamen Shenxiao Palace is divided into Xiamen Hecuo Shunji Palace was built in the Song Dynasty and is now located in Zhonglun Park (formerly Zhonglun Nursery). It was built several times in history and was last rebuilt in 1993.

Looking at the Shenxiao Palace from a high place, it is surrounded by green trees, shaded by green trees, and a hundred flowers blooming. Walking into the Shenxiao Palace is like walking into a green world and a sea of ??flowers. All kinds of flowers, plants and trees are scattered in an orderly manner, which makes people relaxed and happy. In ancient times, Dengzhou was the center of sea-water transportation from Guangzhou to Beijing and Tianjin and the exchange between the imperial court and Eastern countries. It was an important port responsible for northern trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange activities. Its status was much higher than that of Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Mingzhou, Yangzhou is one of the “Four Famous Ports”.

First of all, Mazu is the patron saint of maritime navigation. Mazu culture spread to the coast of the Bohai Bay along the maritime water transport routes from Guangdong and Fujian to Beijing, Tianjin and the Northeast. It was integrated with local culture and formed a positive relationship with urban development. Through interaction, Mazu culture spread rapidly and gradually became the belief of the local people. As a result, "navigators worshiped her with great piety, and ordinary people also gradually believed in it...The Queen of Heaven became the god in charge of everything." In the academic seminar "Mazu Culture and the Rise of Coastal Cities" held at the first "Mazu Culture and Tourism Festival" in Tianjin in 2001, some scholars examined the process of Mazu culture settling in Tianjin and nurturing and nurturing the city, and found that its evolution trajectory is "People come before temples, and temples gather people"; then "temples prosper the city, and temples prosper the city", forming a positive interactive situation in which temples prosper and the city prospers. If Tianjin was originally "gathering people with temples", then Dengzhou can be said to be "building temples with cities."

Dengzhou was a maritime transportation hub connecting the north and south of China, especially in and out of Tianjin and Beijing. It was the largest port in the north. Navigation and Mazu were inseparable. Therefore, Mazu culture was quickly adopted by the local culture after being introduced from the south. Accepted by the people's beliefs, Jier took advantage of the port's special geographical and maritime transportation advantages to digest and accommodate it, and gradually became the dominant maritime culture in the north at that time.

At the same time, the introduction of Mazu culture has also gathered popularity in Dengzhou, promoted the prosperity and development of the city, and formed a positive situation in which the temple and the city complement each other. Penglai Pavilion Tianhou Palace was built in the fourth year of Xuanhe (AD 1122) when Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty first praised Mazu (36 times in the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties). The temple was built early, even in the coastal areas of Fujian where Mazu culture originated. The area is also rare. It is undoubtedly the earliest and largest Mazu temple built in the north. In addition, the location of Dengzhou Port is irreplaceable. In this way, Dengzhou and its Tianhou Palace on Penglai Pavilion are the source of Mazu culture in ancient northern China. Too much. The Han folk trade spread Mazu culture from south to north, and then from the north to the Korean Peninsula and Japan and other Northeast Asian countries along the "Oriental Maritime Silk Road", and finally went north through the Bering Strait and reached North America, as the northern coast of my country. Dengzhou Ancient Port, the center for spreading Mazu belief and culture in the region, also plays an irreplaceable role.

In ancient times, Dengzhou was the departure port of the Eastern Maritime Silk Road. "New Book of Tang" Volume 43, "Geographical Notes, Seven Parts" records: "The Dengzhou Sea travels to Korea and Bohai Road", starting from Dengzhou Port, and is divided into two parts, one starts from Dengzhou Port, Cross the Bohai Strait to Lushunkou in Liaoning, then along the Liaodong Peninsula to the mouth of the Yalu River, then go south along the Korean Peninsula and cross the Tsushima Strait to Japan; the other starts from Dengzhou Port, passes through Bajiao and Zhifu, and then crosses the Yellow Sea to Incheon, North Korea. Then go south along the Korean Peninsula and cross the Tsushima Strait to Japan. The Sui and Tang Dynasties were the heyday of my country's ancient maritime trade and foreign exchanges. Especially after the mid-Tang Dynasty, Dengzhou became the largest port in northern China with its special location advantages. It played an important role in the diplomacy and trade between the Tang court and the Korean Peninsula and surrounding countries. role.

Although the Liao Kingdom repeatedly invaded the north during the Song Dynasty, because the land transportation from the mainland to the Liaodong Peninsula and the Korean Peninsula was blocked, exchanges between the two countries must be completed by sea fleets. In addition, the shipbuilding level of the Song Dynasty With the improvement of navigation technology and the invention and use of the compass, navigation has become safer and the route distance has been significantly shortened. Envoys and trade between the two countries have been frequent and the momentum continues unabated. The Northern Song Dynasty fell, the Southern Song Dynasty fought with the Jin Dynasty on the Shandong Peninsula, and the sea routes moved southward. The Yuan Dynasty mainly developed land transportation and maritime water transportation, and China's foreign trade was restricted.

However, because the route across the Yellow Sea from the port near Songdo to the Korean Peninsula was too long and dangerous, and had suffered many shipwrecks, the Ming Dynasty, whose capital was Nanjing, accepted the request of the King of Goryeo and agreed to change the route. Liaonan crossed the sea to Dengzhou, and in 1376 it was promoted to Dengzhou as its capital. "Records of the Ming Dynasty" mentions the reason for establishing Dengzhou Prefecture: "At that time, Dengzhou and Laizhou were both close to the sea and were the main routes between Korea and Japan. Without the establishment of a government and additional troops and guards, it was not enough to control them." Therefore, In the early Ming Dynasty, the ancient port of Dengzhou was still the main seaport for Korean envoys to embark and set sail... Where there are ships, there is Mazu, where there are Chinese people, there is the Mazu temple. Faith knows no borders. The "Goddess of the Sea" sailed eastward from Penglai on a boat along the Dengzhou Seaway, bringing peace and harmony to travelers. my country's famous historians Gu Jiegang and Ke Zhaozu published many papers on "The Queen of Heaven", which aroused repercussions in the academic world.

Since the 1980s, Taiwan, Macau, Xiamen and other places have set off an upsurge in Mazu research. They have held many academic seminars on Mazu culture and published "Students at Home and Abroad on Mazu" and "Collection of Mazu Research Papers". ", "Compilation of Mazu Research Materials", "Compilation of Mazu Documentary Materials", "Mazu Beliefs and Ancestral Temples", "Meizhou Mazu" and more than a hundred academic monographs. 1. Carry forward patriotism and promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

Mainland and Taiwan share the same roots and ancestors, and have inherited cultures for more than a thousand years, forming an indestructible national consciousness. Mazu is the "god" of China, and Mazu's patriotism also determines the patriotism of her believers.

On May 6, 1989, more than 200 Taiwanese compatriots broke through the Taiwan authorities’ ban and took a boat to Meizhou to worship Mazu Temple;

From January to May 1997, The golden body of Meizhou Mazu toured Taiwan for 103 days, stationed in 36 temples, and received 10 million worshippers from Taiwanese Mazu believers, creating a huge response on the island of Taiwan.

On July 25, 2002, the golden body of Mazu sailed directly to Penghu, and tens of thousands of people paid homage to it. The scene made people burst into tears.

At 8 a.m. on October 21, 2004, the golden statue of Meizhou Mazu departed from the Mazu Temple on Meizhou Island in Putian City. Accompanied by a 54-member escort team, it flew from Changle International Airport. Go to Macau to participate in the 2nd Macau Mazu Cultural Tourism Festival.

In 2005, Mr. Lien Chan and Mr. Soong Chuyu respectively wrote inscriptions for the Mazu Temple in Meizhou: "Shen Zhao Hai Biao" and "Holy Virtue Matches Heaven".

This is the cohesive function of Mazu belief. Today, Mazu has become a symbol of peace for cross-strait trade and navigation, and a goddess of peace who unifies the motherland and bridges cross-strait exchanges. This function in Mazu belief will continue to play a role until the motherland is completely reunified.

2. Spread the spirit of fraternity and educate all living beings to be good.

The universe is vast and boundless, but humans are the masters of the universe. Although there are differences in aesthetics, value orientations, customs and habits due to differences in region, race, and cultural roots, as the instinct of "birth", human nature's understanding of good and evil, beauty and ugliness, tends to be the same.

Mazu belief has adapted to human beings’ recognition of truth, goodness and beauty in many aspects, such as helping those in need, curing illnesses and saving people, giving people peace and auspiciousness, etc. This is not only the spread of culture, but also the enlightenment of concepts.

"Teachers tell, they have words, reasons, meanings, teachings, and transmissions. Words are proclaimed, teaching is told. Through words, one understands the teachings and understands them, and if they understand, they forget what they said." ( Zhang Junfang's "Yunji Qilu"), when an idea is accepted by the people, education takes a back seat, and the concept (the recognition of truth, goodness, and beauty) takes root, blossoms, and bears fruit.

3. Enlighten conscience, establish cherishing nature and return to nature.

For more than a thousand years, human beings have faced droughts, floods, and locust plagues. When plagues are prevalent, they often pray to gods for hope of eliminating disasters. Mazu quells tsunamis, Zhang Tianshi prays to ward off plagues, and the Dragon King sends down rain... …Human beings gradually gain enlightenment through constant prayers to gods: all living beings are equal, everything has animism, and Tao follows nature….

Protecting the ecological environment and returning to nature has become the voice of the world and all mankind. Who can say that there is no revelation from God in this?