The Belief Function of Mazu Culture

The development of navigation and foreign trade in Song and Yuan Dynasties, the constant emergence of immigrants and expatriates, and the reward and promotion of the ruling class are the historical reasons why Mazu became a famous sea god. People worship Mazu as a sea god, which began with Han people, spread with witchcraft as the core, passed down by the nation, and then spread among court officials.

In addition to sailing, Mazu, which was helpful to water transportation, spread rapidly in the Yuan Dynasty. It is also related to the change of water transportation to sea transportation in Yuan Dynasty. Mazu belief gradually spread from the coast of Southeast Asia to Beijing and Tianjin in the north, and Mazu belief was recognized by the central dynasty.

China is a big agricultural country. Rain is not only the source of food, but also an indispensable condition for agricultural production. Mazu, which dominates maritime activities, is also regarded as the god of rainfall management in coastal areas. Historically, witches and wizards were the main priests who prayed for rain. Because Mazu was a witch before her death, she was naturally tied to the rain after her death. After the Song and Yuan Dynasties, with the development of maritime trade, fishery and animal husbandry in southern Fujian, the number of boatmen and fishermen who made a living by sailing gradually increased. In the face of the capricious sea, they only got some spiritual comfort from praying for the protection of the gods, so the belief in Mazu spread, and the praise and titles of Mazu by emperors in previous dynasties gradually escalated.

At first, Mazu Tempel was just a miscellaneous army at the seaside of Putian. In the fourth year of Song Xuanhe (A.D. 1 122), the consul went to Korea on land, and the ship was caught in a storm in Huangshuiyang. It happened that all the sailors on this ship were hired from Putian. They prayed for Mazu in times of crisis and finally turned the corner. After returning home, he invited the imperial court, so Song Huizong gave a sum to Shunji Temple, which was Mazu Tempel of Ninghai Wharf (Shengdun) at that time, and Mazu belief was recognized by the imperial court from then on.

In the 25th year of Shaoxing, Song Gaozong (A.D. 1 155), Mrs. Chongfu was awarded, which was the earliest praise for Mazu.

In the 26th year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty (A.D. 1 156), Chen Junqing, a native of Putian, was the prime minister of the dynasty and believed in Mazu, so he asked the court to make Mazu Mrs. Hui Ling, and later he was named Hou all the way.

Until the eleventh year of Tongzhi (1872), when the seal was added again, "after the approval of the Ministry of Rites, it was considered that there were too many titles, which was not solemn enough, and only the word' Jiayou' was added."

In this way, from the 4th year of Xuanhe in Song Huizong (A.D. 1 122) to the 11th year of Tongzhi in Qing Dynasty, 14 emperors of four dynasties successively sealed her for 36 times, with titles as many as 64 words, ranging from "Madame", "Tian Fei" and "Tianhou" to "Our Lady in Heaven".

In the fifty-eighth year of Kangxi (A.D. 17 19), Mazu was listed as the highest festival in the Qing Dynasty, together with Confucius and Guandi. It was stipulated that local officials must personally preside over the spring and autumn festival, kneel three times and knock nine times, and be included in the national festival, making her a "goddess of the sea" admired by all.

Title of dynasty year (time)

In the 25th year of Shaoxing, Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty (1 155), and Mrs. Chongfu was honored.

In the 26th year of emperor gaozong's reign in Shaoxing (1 156), his wife Hui Ling.

Emperor Gaozong Shaoxing for thirty years (1 160), his wife Zhao Ying.

Filial piety road for three years (1 167) Mrs. Ling Zhaohui Ying Chongfu.

In the eleventh year of filial piety (1 184), the spirit was Mrs. Ying Chongfu.

Guangzong Shaoxi three years (1 192) Ling Huifei

In the fourth year of Ning Zongqing Yuan (1 198), Hui Ling helped Shun Fei.

Ning Zong lived in the first year of Jiading (1208), and she saved the spirit and helped Shunxian Wei Fei.

Ning lived in Jiading for ten years (12 17), and Hui Ling helped Shunxian Wei Ying to become a concubine.

In the third year of Li Zongjiaxi's reign (1239), Hui Ling helped Shun Jiaying to be a hero princess.

In the second year of Li Zongbao's reign (1254), Hui Ling helped Xie Zhengfei, a hero of Shunjiaying.

Li Zongbao helped Tzu Chi in Jiaying for three years (1255).

In the fourth year of Li Zongbao (1256), Hui Lingxie was a princess of Tzu Chi. Feng Ling Xie Hui Kevin Cheng Mountain Green Fee

In the third year of Li's reign (1262), Li was made a princess.

In the 18th year of Yuan Dynasty (128 1 year), the country was protected by Tian Fei.

From the ancestor to the Yuan Dynasty (1289) for twenty-six years, Tian Fei was well protected.

In the third year (1299), he became a great father, protecting the country, helping saints and people, and helping Tian Fei.

In the first year of Injong Yan (13 14), he protected the country and helped the saints to show his support for Tian Fei.

In the second year of Wenzong (1329), he protected the country, helped the saints and the people, expressed support for Guangji, and helped Shunfu Hui Hui shine in Tian Fei.

Ming Taizu Hongwu five years (1372), Xiao Zhao was pure, and Fuji seduced the imperial concubine.

In the seventh year of Yongle (1409), he protected the country and the people in Puji, Tian Fei, Hong Ren.

In the 19th year of Emperor Kangxi of Qing Dynasty (1680), protecting the country and the people shone brilliantly, and Hong Ren married her.

In the 23rd year of Kangxi (1684), he was smart and kind to Tianhou Palace.

In the second year of Qianlong (1737), Miao Zhaoling was born in Puji, Hong Ren.

In the 22nd year of Qianlong (1757), Hong Ren Puji Fu You Group was born with a sincere feeling of being blessed.

After fifty-three years of Qianlong (1788), he protected the country and loved the people, and he was vigorous and aboveboard. Hong Ren Puji Fu You was born with a sincere feeling of wealth, showing the gods and praising Shuntian.

During the five years of Jiaqing (1800), he protected the country and loved the people, and was vigorous and aboveboard. Hong Ren Puji Fu You was born with a sincere feeling, and the virtuous man showed God's praise and kindness.

After six years of Daoguang (1826), he protected the country and loved the people, and he was vigorous and aboveboard. Hong Ren Puji Fu You was born with sincere feelings, and the virtuous man showed God's praise and kindness, and he wished An Lan an auspicious day.

In the 19th year of Daoguang (1839), he protected the country and loved the people, and was vigorous and aboveboard. Hong Ren Puji was born with a sincere feeling, and the virtuous man showed God's praise and kindness. An Lan Li Yunze and Qin Youfu.

In the twenty-eight years of Daoguang (1848), he protected the country and loved the people, and he was vigorous and aboveboard. Hong Ren was born with sincerity, the virtuous man showed his praise and kindness to God, and An Lan's courtesy made Qin emperor the queen of heaven.

In the second year of Xianfeng (1852), he protected the country and loved the people, and he was vigorous and aboveboard. Hong Ren Puji Fu You was born with a sincere feeling. My late husband praised God, while An Lan's gift and fortune made Qin Tianbo preach the benefits and guide the celebration of the queen.

Xianfeng three years (1853), to protect the country and the people, hale and hearty. Hong Ren Puji Fu You was born with a sincere feeling. Showing blessings shows the praise of God, while An Lan's ceremony and fortune shows Qin Tianbo's preaching and diversion, celebrating the goddess of Yangxin.

Xianfeng five years (1855), to protect the country and the people, hale and hearty. Hong Ren Puji Fu You was born with a sincere feeling. Showing blessings shows praise to God, while An Lan's ritual and fortune is accompanied by Qin Chuanhui's guidance, Jingyang banquet and Zhou.

Xianfeng five years (1855), to protect the country and the people, hale and hearty. Hong Ren Puji Fu You was born with a sincere feeling. Showing blessings shows the praise of the gods, while An Lan's ritual luck shows Qin Chuanhui, guidance, Jingyang's west knowing grace, Zhou, Bao Taitian.

Xianfeng seven years (1857), protecting the country, protecting the people, and being wise. Hong Ren Puji Fu You was born with a sincere feeling. The virtuous man showed his praise for the gods. An Lan Li Yunze Qin Hai Yutian preached and taught to solve doubts and guide flow. In the fourth year (987), after Mazu ascended to heaven, people worshipped Poseidon and built it on Meizhou Island. Mazu Tempel in Meizhou is the ancestor of all Mazu Tempel in the world, and all Mazu Tempel in the world is separated from Meizhou. Where there are China people, there is Mazu Tempel. According to the latest figures provided by the Mazu Tempel world, there are nearly 5,000 Mazu Tempel in the world, covering more than 20 countries and regions, with nearly 200 million followers.

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

Mazu temples have different names, such as Tianfei Palace, Tianhou Palace and Mazu Tempel, or Tianhou Palace, Notre Dame altar, Wenyuan Hall, Chaotian Palace, Tianhou Palace, An Lan Hall, Shuangci Pavilion and Fenyang Hall. Among these Mazu Tempel, Mazu Tempel in Meizhou, Fujian (987), Tianhou Palace in Tianjin (1326), Chaotian Palace in Beigang, Taiwan Province (1694) (known as the three Mazu Tempel in the world), Tianhou Palace in Quanzhou, Fujian (1 196) and Tianhou Palace in Zhijiang, Hunan. Penglai Pavilion Tianhou Palace (1 122), Temple Island Xianying Palace on Long Island (1 122), Ningbo Tianhou Palace (1853), Macau Tianhou Palace (2003), Singapore Tianfu Palace, etc.

Tianhou Palace in Quanzhou has always been regarded as a large-scale Mazu temple with high building specifications at home and abroad, and it is the third batch of national key cultural protection units.

According to historical records, Tianhou Palace in Quanzhou was founded in the second year of Song Qingyuan (1 196). Legend has it that "a monk in Wupu Chaoan, Quanzhou, had a dream of being a palace, which was created by Xu Shichang, a native of Tyre. In fact, it is the second-rate meeting point of the Yangtze River and water, and it is the place where passengers and airlines gather. At that time, Luocheng was still in Zhennan Bridge, but it was above Linpu, Gong Shi. " At that time, the Mazu Palace was built on a large scale, with three halls, mountain gates, two corridors and two pavilions. During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, Quanzhou was as famous as Alexandria in Egypt. It is one of the two largest trading ports in the world, and has trade with 58 countries and regions in Asia. At the same time, Quanzhou's shipbuilding industry is also famous in the world, and the ships traded by the state at sea are "mostly made in Guangzhou and Quanzhou". In the Song Dynasty, Quanzhou local governors and officials of municipal shipping companies held ceremonies of "praying for the wind" and "offering sacrifices to the sea" every spring and autumn to pray for calm and encourage the development of foreign trade. At first, the worship of the sea was held in Zhenwu Temple near Jinjiang, and the ceremony of praying for the wind was held in Jiuri Mountain, Nan 'an County, but in the late Southern Song Dynasty, it was changed to the ceremony of Shunji Palace. During the Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasties, officials were often sent to offer sacrifices. In the fifty-ninth year of Emperor Kangxi of Qing Dynasty (1720), spring and autumn festivals were ordered. Since then, the official sacrifice of Shunji Palace has become a statute.

Quanzhou Port was more prosperous in Yuan Dynasty, with more than 90 countries trading with overseas, and sometimes as many as 300 ships entered the port. In order to smooth the transportation of grain and sea, the emperor of Yuan Dynasty also sealed Mazu many times and prayed for Mazu's asylum. In the 18th year of the Yuan Dynasty, the imperial edict was issued, "Send the doctor Xuande to make the left deputy governor and Fujian Provincial Maritime Department recommend Pu to protect the national security", and specially appointed Pu of Quanzhou (his father Pu Shougeng and Shi Sheng Quanzhou Maritime Department, Zuo Cheng, who traveled to Fujian in the Yuan Dynasty to write books and made huge profits for 30 years) as the conferring minister, and held sacrifices and awards at Tianfei Palace in Quanzhou. In the third year of Dade (1299), on February 20th, Yuan Wenzong issued an imperial edict, "Jiaquan Poseidon said to protect the country, the people and Tian Fei." In the imperial edict, Mazu is called "Quanzhou Poseidon". Mazu's position as Poseidon was further clarified. In the second year of Zhengzheng (1329), Yuan Wenzong ordered imperial academy to write a eulogy and sent officials to pay tribute to Yi Palace. The eulogy said: "Shengde holds the pole of Kun, and Minnan starts from Xiang. Fly on the jade chariot and realize the fragrance of heaven. Overseas is calm, and the forest in China is fragrant. People's livelihood is guaranteed, and the emperor's office borrows the phase. At the Millennium Song Banquet, Zhao is not in the center. "

The emperor of the Yuan Dynasty made many sacrifices to the heavenly princess in Quanzhou Port where barbarians gathered, and its influence can be imagined.

In the Ming Dynasty, Quanzhou Port was still an important port in China. In the third year of Hongwu (1370), Quanzhou re-established the city shipping company, specializing in Ryukyu. Since then, it has set up a "source station" in Qiaoqiao village near Tianfei Palace to receive foreign guests from Ryukyu and other countries. In order to help Ryukyu develop economy and culture, in the 22nd year of Hongwu (1392), Ming Taizu "gave Fujian people thirty-six surnames" and settled in Ryukyu. Among the 36 surnames, Quanzhou people account for a considerable part, such as Cai surnames in Nan 'an, Li surnames in Jinjiang and Weng surnames. They work as chief translators in Ryukyu, teaching rowing skills and cultural knowledge. At that time, the Ming government stipulated that a statue of Tian Fei must be placed in any ship closure, and the former ambassador and deputy ambassador of kai yang must pay homage to Tianfei Palace at the exit port. When the ship is sealed and arrives at the destination, the ambassador and deputy ambassador must respectfully go ashore by boat to the Mazu shrine and put it in the Tianfei Palace of the host country for day and night worship. At that time, from Kaiyang, Fujian to Ryukyu, it must pass through Cangshui Blackwater, which was called "Cangmei" in ancient times, also known as "Dongmei". It is a trench with a depth of more than 2000 meters. It is very rough, and navigators often die here. In this way, Mazu was honored by the "Fujian people's 36 surnames" and accompanied them from Quanzhou, braving the wind and waves and successfully reaching Ryukyu. After the "Fujian people's 36 surnames" came to Ryukyu, they built the Upper and Lower Tian Fei Palace and Kume Village in Naha, the capital of Ryukyu, and lived together. After the completion of the palace, the local officials of Ryukyu also made a regulation: "From the date of sailing of Zigong ship to the seventh day, doctors and young scholars must visit the Princess Palace for two days." "From the seventh day until the tribute ship returned to China, young scholars and township government officials were under the doctor every day. Therefore, with the close communication between China and Ryukyu, Tian Fei belief gradually took root in Ryukyu.

In the fifth year of Yongle (1407), Zheng He, the eunuch of Sambo, made his second voyage to the West via Quanzhou and sent envoys to worship Mazu. Because Tianfei Palace "has a long history and has fallen into a deep sleep", it is specially invited to "guard the palace in Fujian and rebuild its temple". In the thirteenth year of Yongle (14 15), Zheng He's subordinate "supervised Zhang Qian to send Boni (now North kalimantan island) to Huzhou, which originated from Wujiang (Quanzhou). It is really strange that it was played in the DPRK. In the fifteenth year of Yongle (14 17), Zheng He went to the Western Ocean for the fifth time and passed through Quanzhou again. After worshipping Mazu according to regulations, go to the holy tomb of Islam in Lingshan to burn incense and pray for ancestors' blessing. The stone tablet erected by Zheng He's incense is still there, and the words read, "Zheng He, the eunuch of the General Division, was sent to the Western Ocean. Yongle 15 may 16, I visited here and looked forward to the holy protection of the holy spirit. Yan Fupu and Diary Li. " In the 19th year of Jiajing (1540), Yu Xu, a county citizen, raised funds for overhaul. Build five halls first, seven bedrooms again, four pavilions, thirty hatchbacks and twenty-eight pavilions. Completed in 23 years (1544).

In the Qing Dynasty, Shi Lang, Hou of Jinghai, ordered Taiwan Province Province to conquer the East and unify the motherland. He divided his forces and attacked in three ways, one of which bypassed Quanzhou, the fifteenth capital. "Quanzhou Fuzhi" contains: "Shi Lang, the general of the Zhou Dynasty, is not so, and God helps him succeed." After pacifying Taiwan Province Province, Shi Lang felt grateful for the tide. With the permission of Wan Zhengse, the prefect of Fujian Navy in his hometown, he wrote to Emperor Kangxi again to ask for sealing and count the miracles of Mazu's assistance. In the 23rd year of Kangxi (1684), on August 14th, "Tianhou Palace was specially sealed for the achievement of Shi Lang, the prefect of Fujian Navy", and royal ministers such as Langzhong Yahoo sent books and silks to Quanzhou Temple and Meizhou Ancestral Temple for sacrifice. Since then, Tianfei Palace in Quanzhou has been renamed Tianhou Palace. In order to repay the debt, General Shi Lang rebuilt and expanded the Tianhou Palace. In the twenty-first year of Jiaqing (19 16), Xu Rulan, the prefect of Quanzhou, advocated rebuilding again with the idea of building a big house without resurrection. During the Daoguang period (1830— 1850), Mazu was named "Tiannv" by Emperor Wenzong of Qing Dynasty, and Tianhou Palace in Quanzhou was built on a large scale.

In the Qing Dynasty, there was a further upsurge of folk commercial trade and immigration to Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan Province Province at Quanzhou Port, and Mazu belief spread more widely with the footprints of Quanzhou businessmen and immigrants. According to historical records, Quanzhou merchants have traveled all over the world. The pearl of the South China Sea, the more jade, is everywhere; The land of tattoos, the country of inscriptions, is everywhere. "In China, Guangdong has Panyu, Qiongzhou, Yazhou, Haojiang, Hainan, Dongguan, Xuwen, Xiangshan Bromide, Chaozhou, Leizhou, Huizhou, Gaozhou and Maizhou. Ningbo, Shuangyu, Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Zhoushan, Suzhou, Nanjing, Taizhou and Linqing in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Nanning, Wuzhou, Luoding and Yuzhou in Guangxi, Jilong, Danshui and Lugang in Taiwan Province, Shi Jing, Jining, Baotou, Huizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Shandong provinces; There are Fuzhou, Xiamen, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Zhangzhou and Jianning in the province. There are Luzon, Siam, Batavia, Bunny, Java, Zhancheng, Zhancheng, Jiaotoe, Cambodia, Dagang, Nagasaki, Ryukyu and Korea abroad. Everywhere Quanzhou businessmen go, they have to build a guild hall and invite Mazu from their hometown to worship. Tianhou Palace in Quanzhou has several commercial suburbs such as Suzhou, Nanjing, Fuzhou and Liaojiao, and there is a court in the suburb of Lugang nearby. Every time the Tianhou Palace is built, all the major commercial suburban halls are fully funded to show their piety.

According to statistics, there are more than 800 Mazu Tempel in Taiwan Province Province, all of whom worship Mazu Tempel in Meizhou, Putian. Mazu's followers account for three-quarters of the total population, and it can be called a place where Mazu's beliefs are extremely prosperous. Judging from the grades of Mazu Tempel in Taiwan Province Province, they all belong to "Fenling". One is to go to Taiwan Province with Mazu symbols or incense on the mainland, which is called "distributing incense", and the other is to go to Taiwan Province with Mazu statues on the mainland, which is called "two places at once". Mazu Meizhou is the best place in the world. Its origin is the large-scale migration from Fujian to Taiwan Province Province in Ming and Qing Dynasties. Putian is the birthplace of Mazu culture. Mazu, formerly known as Molin, was born in Meizhou Island, Putian, Fujian on March 23rd in Song and Yuan Dynasties (AD 960). When Maureen was a child, she was both clever and insightful. She is familiar with astronomy and meteorology, water, medicine, epidemic prevention and disaster elimination, and has devoted her life to doing good for others and determined not to marry. Legend has it that she can "sit on the ground and cross the sea". She can also predict the weather changes and inform the boatman in advance whether she can sail, so it is said that she can "predict the strange" and is called "goddess" and "dragon lady". In the fourth year of Yongxi (AD 987), on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, Lin Moyu ascended to heaven at the age of 28. Since then, it is said that sailors often see Maureen dressed in red to help those in distress and calling for help. Therefore, the gods of Mazu are gradually and universally enshrined on ships, praying for a safe journey. There are more than 200 million Mazu believers in the world, accounting for two-thirds of the population of Taiwan Province Province.

Putian was called Xinghua in ancient times, also known as Puyang and Puxian. Fuzhou in the north, Quanzhou in the south, Dai Yun in the west and Taiwan Province Strait in the southeast. Port resources are unique, "rare in the world and rare in China", such as Xiuyu Deepwater Port in Meizhou Bay and Sanjiangkou and Fengting Auxiliary Port. There are three bays, namely, Meizhou Bay, Xinghua Bay and Wanping Bay, and Meizhou and Rinan, with more than 150 islands. The spread of Mazu culture benefited from the development of marine industry in China.

China has a long history of marching into the sea. During the Qin and Han Dynasties, Xu Fu, his native land, made three trips to seek immortality, and Qin Shihuang also visited Shandong Peninsula many times. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty followed suit and went further. Although it failed, it inadvertently promoted the development of shipbuilding, navigation and port industry. Since the Han Dynasty, due to the opening of the famous maritime "Silk Road" in history, Sino-foreign trade and East-West exchanges, which lasted for more than 2,000 years, have become the main thread running through the development of ancient China society, and overseas exchanges have been prosperous for a long time. The Eastern Maritime Silk Road started from Dengzhou Port, one of the four ancient ports, and connected the trade between China and the Western countries such as North Korea and Japan, which promoted the development of the maritime industry in Bohai Sea and Shandong Peninsula. South Road, Guangzhou's marine trade can go directly to Alexandria. The foreign trade of Quanzhou Port can be as famous as the world-famous Alexandria Port.

In the Yuan Dynasty, foreign trade at sea was relatively weakened due to the invasion of the coast by the Japanese pirates, but the domestic sea routes between North and South Vandory and the trade between North and South rivers and waterways were relatively strengthened. Later, due to the relative political stability in Beijing during 800 years, domestic coastal ports became increasingly prosperous and gradually entered a golden age. Zheng He's seven voyages to the West in the Ming Dynasty were half a century earlier than Columbus's discovery of the new continent, which was even more unparalleled. Historical facts fully show that China was the master of the early oceans in the world.

As early as the tenth century, China navigators first possessed compasses to ensure the directional navigation of sea routes, and also invented bulkhead ships. In case of a shipwreck at sea, even if a corner is broken, a cabin can still float. However, although the shipbuilding and navigation technology was quite developed at that time, because there was no weather forecast, the climate at sea changed greatly, and a small boat was like a drop in the ocean. When the storm rages, human behavior is extremely small or even insignificant in front of the powerful marine world. Therefore, it is natural to pray for the protection of the gods. In the Tang Dynasty, Nakano and Xuanzong awarded the title of "Four Seas Dragon King" in the form of king James. Because it is said that it can cast storms and make waves, it is regarded as a god who surrenders to nature by navigators. However, the image of this fictional natural god is ugly, and Ao Guang, the dragon king of the East China Sea, is regarded as a fierce god in people's impression. In addition, the theory of "five elements and five yin" prevailed at that time, saying 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, and water gods want women to be suitable for the theory of yin and yang and five elements. " In the early Song Dynasty, Maureen, who was young and beautiful and brave enough to save people at sea, was regarded as a goddess of the sea after her death, which was the inevitable result of the development of maritime history.

The appearance 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 "Record of Making Ryukyu", which says: "The ship is swaying in the wind and waves, and the sail is broken, the pole is broken, and the rudder blade is lost. The boatman sadly falls in Tian Fei, so Yun Fei can change the rudder immediately to ensure safety. In the huge waves, the rudder blade weighs two or three thousand kilograms. Because of the protection of the gods, the strength has doubled. It takes more than 100 people to change the rudder. Today, more than 30 people are in danger. " The attack on Purple Mountain and the rescue of Hefei in the first year of Jubilee in the Southern Song Dynasty also used Mazu's spiritual function to boost morale. Since the Southern Song Dynasty, people have been used to helping Poseidon in the same boat and praying day and night. In the Yuan Dynasty, the idea of "transferring grain from the south to the north" was first adopted by Prime Minister Pingzhang. At first, the government built ships to transport the national grain directly from Jiangnan grain area to zhi gu. Later, it hired Han Chinese to ship it, and some private businessmen participated in the sea transportation. At that time, they came to Tianfei Palace in Tianjin from Guangzhou in succession, which shows the degree of belief of navigators in Mazu.

Zheng He made seven voyages to the West and prayed in the ancestral temple. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, a large number of Han people marched on the Nanyang Islands, all carrying the statue of Mazu, which shows that Mazu is the patron saint of China's traditional maritime industry. In addition, after Japan accepted the spread of Mazu, it developed into a "Mazu Society" and stipulated the worship system in the form of religion. Every family in Taiwan Province Province believes in Mazu, which is called "opening as a mother", and both sides of the Taiwan Strait also believe in Mazu. Therefore, Mazu is also a goddess of peace who communicates across the Taiwan Strait and keeps close contact with compatriots. As the earliest and largest buildings in ancient northern China, the Tianhou Palace and Dengzhou Port in Penglai Pavilion played an important role in the northward movement of Mazu culture and the spread of China and eastern countries.

The Tianhou Palace in Penglai Pavilion was built in 1 122, more than 200 years earlier than the earliest Tianhou Palace in Taiwan Province Beigang, Tianhou Palace in Tianjin and Penghu in Taiwan. It is also decades earlier than the Tianhou Palace in Quanzhou (A.D. 1 196), the first place in China to be listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit. According to historical records, "In Song Huizong, Notre Dame was built to the west of the pavilion. In the fourth year of Xuanhe (AD 1 122), 48 temples were built. " . As the "originator" of Mazu Tempel, Meizhou Mazu Tempel had only a few rafters when it was built, and it was not until the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty that 99 lent houses were gradually formed, showing the scale of the Tianhou Palace in Penglai Pavilion.

In addition, the Long Island Xianying Palace (hence the name Miaodao), which is just as famous as the Tianhou Palace in Penglai Pavilion, was once called the "first mother temple in the world", and also occupies a prominent "seat" in the Mazu Tempel in northern China. In the 19th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1386), when Li Chongren, the envoy of Gong Yu, korean king, returned from Nanjing, he wrote in the poem Liushamen Island (Shamen Island is the Long Island Temple Island north of Penglai in ancient times): "Shamen has been waiting for a long time, and the twilight scene is attractive to write poems. When the princess enjoys the sacrifice, she should report it, but Hai Ruo can't peek ... "... Penglai and Long Island are the water transportation hubs of China's north and south, east and west, with special geographical locations. Under the ancient tradition and universal belief that" before sailing, you can pray for Mazu when you have a boat ",the mission of the Tianhou Palace and the Miaodao Fairy Film Palace in Penglai Pavilion can be imagined.

Xiamen Shen Xiao Palace is located in Shunji Palace, He Shen, Xiamen. It was founded in the Song Dynasty and is now located in Zhonglun Park (formerly Zhonglun Nursery). There have been many reconstructions in history, and the last one was in 1993. Overlooking Shen Xiao Palace from a height, surrounded by green trees, surrounded by green trees, flowers are in full bloom. Walking into Shen Xiao Palace is like walking into a green world and a sea of flowers. All kinds of flowers and trees are strewn at random, which makes people feel relaxed and happy. In ancient times, Dengzhou was the transportation hub from Guangzhou to Beijing and Tianjin, and the main road between the imperial court and the eastern countries. It is an important port to undertake trade, diplomacy and cultural exchange activities in the north, and its status is much higher than the later "four famous ports" of Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Mingzhou and Yangzhou.

First of all, Mazu is the patron saint of sea navigation. Mazu culture spread to the coast of Bohai Bay along the maritime transportation routes from Guangdong and Fujian to Beijing, Tianjin and Northeast China, and merged with local culture to form a benign interaction with urban development. Mazu culture soon spread and gradually became the belief of local people, so that "sailors are extremely devout and ordinary people gradually believe ... Tianhou became the god in charge of everything". At the symposium on "Mazu culture and the rise of coastal cities" held in the first "Mazu Cultural Tourism Festival" in 200 1 Tianjin, some scholars found that the evolution track of Mazu culture was "ancestors followed the temple and the temple gathered people". Then, "prospering the city with temples, prospering the city with temples" formed a benign interactive situation in which temples flourished and cities prospered. If Tianjin was originally "gathering people with temples", then Dengzhou can be said to be "prospering temples with cities".

Dengzhou is a maritime transportation hub connecting the north and south of China, especially Tianjin, and the largest port in the north. Navigation is closely related to Mazu. Therefore, Mazu culture was quickly accepted by local culture and people's beliefs after it was introduced from the south, and was digested and accommodated by the special geographical and maritime traffic advantages of the port, and gradually became the dominant marine culture in the north at that time.

At the same time, the introduction of Mazu culture has also gathered popularity for Dengzhou, promoted the prosperity and development of the city, and formed a benign situation in which temples and cities complement each other. The Tianhou Palace in Penglai Pavilion was first built in Song Huizong (36 times in Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties). In the fourth year of Xuanhe (AD 1 122), the temple was built earlier, even in the coastal areas of Fujian where Mazu culture originated. There is no doubt that the earliest and largest Mazu Tempel was built for the north and Dengzhou. Han folk trade spread Mazu culture from south to north, then spread northward along the "Oriental Maritime Silk Road" to the Korean Peninsula, Japan and other Northeast Asian countries, and finally crossed the Bering Strait to North America. As the center of Mazu belief and Mazu culture spread in the northern coastal areas of China, the ancient port of Dengzhou has also played an irreplaceable role.

Dengzhou in ancient times was the port of origin of the Oriental Maritime Silk Road. Book of the New Tang Dynasty, Volume 43, Chapter 7 of Geography, contains: "Dengzhou Sea enters Korea and Bohai Road", which starts from Dengzhou Port and is divided into two parts. Part of it starts from Dengzhou Port, crosses Bohai Strait to Lushunkou, Liaoning Province, then goes along Liaodong Peninsula to the mouth of Yalu River, then goes south along Korean Peninsula, and crosses Ma Dui Strait to Japan. The other one starts from Dengzhou Port, passes through Bajiao and Zhifu, then passes through the Yellow Sea to Incheon, Korea, then goes south along the Korean Peninsula, and then passes through the Taiwan Province Strait to Japan. The Sui and Tang Dynasties were the heyday of China's ancient maritime trade and foreign exchange. Especially after the mid-Tang Dynasty, Dengzhou became the largest port in northern China with its special geographical advantages, and played an important role in the diplomacy and trade between Tang Ting and the Korean Peninsula and neighboring countries.

Although Liao invaded the North for many times in Song Dynasty, the communication between the two countries must be completed by the sea fleet because the land traffic from the mainland to Liaodong Peninsula and Korean Peninsula was blocked. In addition, with the improvement of shipbuilding level and navigation technology in Song Dynasty and the invention and use of compass, navigation became safer, the route distance was obviously shortened, and the diplomatic envoys and trade exchanges between the two countries were frequent and sharp. When the Northern Song Dynasty perished, the Southern Song Dynasty fought against Jin in Shandong Peninsula, and the sea road moved south. The Yuan Dynasty mainly developed land transportation and maritime transportation, and China's foreign trade was bound.

However, due to the long and dangerous route from the port near Juniper to the Korean Peninsula across the Yellow Sea, the Ming court in Nanjing, its capital, accepted the request of the King of Korea and promised to divert to Dengzhou via southern Liaoning, and was promoted to Dengzhou Secretariat on 1376. "Shi Minglu" made the following statement on the reasons for the establishment of Dengzhou Prefecture: "Dengzhou and Laizhou are both close to the sea and are the main traffic routes between North Korea and Japan. It is not enough to build it into a town unless it is built and strengthened. " Therefore, the ancient port of Dengzhou was still the main outlet for North Korean envoys to sail and set sail in the early Ming Dynasty ... Where there were ships, there were Mazu, where there were China people, and there were Mazu Tempel. Believing that there is no national boundary, the "Goddess of the Sea" sailed eastward from Penglai along the Dengzhou Sea Road, sending peace and tranquility to travelers. Famous historians in China, such as Gu Jiegang and Ke Zhao, have published many papers about ancestors and the day after tomorrow, which have aroused repercussions in academic circles.

Since 1980s, Taiwan Province Province, Macau, Xiamen and other places have set off an upsurge of Mazu research, held many academic seminars on Mazu culture, and published nearly 100 academic monographs, such as Mazu Scholars at Home and Abroad, Essays on Mazu Research, Compilation of Mazu Research Materials, Compilation of Mazu Literature Materials, Mazu Belief and Ancestral Temple, Meizhou Mazu and so on. 1. Carry forward the patriotic concept and promote the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

Mainland China and Taiwan Province Province are of the same ancestry, which have passed on the culture for more than 1000 years and formed an indestructible national consciousness. Mazu is the "God" of China, and Mazu's patriotism also determines the patriotism of his followers.

On May 6th, 1989, more than 200 Taiwan Province compatriots broke the ban of Taiwan Province authorities and arrived in Mazu Tempel, Meizhou by boat.

1997 65438+/kloc-0. From October to May, Mazu in Meizhou toured in Taiwan Province Province/kloc-0. 03 days, staying in 36 temples and receiving Mazu followers in Taiwan Province Province/kloc-0. 00000 people, which caused great repercussions on the island of Taiwan Province Province.

On July 25th, 2002, Mazu flew directly to Penghu, where thousands of people worshipped. The scene made people cry.

At 8: 00 am on June 5438+1October 2/KLOC-0, 2004, Meizhou Mazu Golden God set out from Mazu Tempel, Meizhou Island, Putian City. Accompanied by 54 escort groups, they flew from Changle International Airport to Macau to attend the second Macau Mazu Cultural Tourism Festival.

In 2005, Lien Chan and Mr. James Soong wrote inscriptions for Mazu Tempel in Meizhou: "Zhao Shen Watch on the Sea" and "Shengde Match Heaven" respectively.

This is the cohesive function of Mazu belief. Nowadays, Mazu has become a symbol of peace in cross-strait trade and navigation, and a goddess of peace to unify the motherland and communicate cross-strait exchanges. This function of Mazu belief will continue to play a role until the motherland is completely unified.

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

The vast universe is boundless, but human beings are the masters of the universe. Although the differences in aesthetics, values and customs stem from the differences in regional, ethnic and cultural roots, as the instinct of "life", human nature's cognition of good, evil, beauty and ugliness tends to be consistent.

Mazu belief has adapted to human cognition of truth, goodness and beauty in many aspects, such as helping the poor, saving lives and giving people peace and auspiciousness. This is not only a cultural exchange, but also an ideological education.

"Teach, tell, talk, be rational, be righteous, take it for granted, and get through. Announce what you say; Understand it; If you understand it, you will forget it "(Zhang Junfang's Seven Signs of the Cloud). When an idea is accepted by people, education will take a back seat, and this idea (understanding of truth, goodness and beauty) will take root, blossom and bear fruit.

3. Enlighten conscience and establish the idea of cherishing and returning to nature.

For thousands of years, mankind has been faced with drought, flood and locust plague. When the plague is prevalent, they often pray to the gods for the hope of eliminating the disaster. Mazu's efforts to quell the tsunami, Zhang Tianshi prayed for plague, and the Dragon King prayed for rain ... People were gradually inspired by the constant prayers for the gods: all beings are equal, all things are animistic, and the Tao is natural. Protecting the ecological environment and returning to nature has become the voice of the whole world and all mankind. Who can say that there is no revelation from God?