Mother Mazu, the patron saint of the Chinese nation

中华民族保护神：妈祖娘娘

Mazu Empress, the Chinese national protection god. Protect the happiness and well-being of the Chinese nation.

-----Zhuge Changqing

There are many protection gods of the Chinese nation.

Mother Mazu is one of the outstanding goddesses.

Mazu, whose original name was Lin Muriang, was merciful from childhood and devoted to learning Taoism and medicine, contributing to himself, benefiting the people, and helping the people. Mazu was recommended by the barefoot immortal to the heaven, and was later ordained as a god by the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother.

Mazu is a sea god centered on the southeast coast of China and believed in by East Asia and other regions. It is a god believed by boatman, sailors, passengers, businessmen and fishermen of all ages.

Mazu's real name is Lin Mo, also known as Mo Niang, and was born on March 23 of the lunar calendar in the first year of Jianlong's reign (960). Song Taizong Yongxi died on the ninth day of September in the fourth year (987).

Because Lin Muriang saved the world and helped people, Ze was granted a seal by the court, and the coastal people respected him as the sea god, and set up a temple for sacrifice. Mazu belief has gone through more than 1000 years since its birth. It was originally a folk belief, later became a Taoist belief, and finally became the object of national sacrifices in all dynasties

CCTV once broadcast the TV series "Mazu" about Mazu.

Mazu is a mythical and inspirational play reflecting Mazu's life and deeds. With more than 30 widely circulated Mazu folk tales as the material, Mazu strives to restore a respectable, amiable and lovely image of the sage Mazu, display the profound Mazu culture, and spread the Oriental marine culture represented by Mazu culture.

Those who have a chance can search and see this TV drama "Mazu". After watching it, they will have a deep understanding of Mazu's mother and Taoist culture.

Zhuge Changqing believes that the coastal areas near the sea can be blessed if they build Mazu Empress Temple, build Mazu Empress Goddess, worship Mazu Empress, and pray for Mazu Empress's blessing.

The courts of all dynasties have offered sacrifices to Mazu.

In the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He made seven voyages to the West, offering sacrifices to Mazu every time. It was with the blessing of Mazu's mother that she successfully completed the seven voyages to the West.

Zheng He and Wang Jinghong should pay tribute to the Princess of Heaven before each trip to the sea, and to the goddess of thanks after a smooth return.

According to the stele "The Concubine of Heaven" written by Zheng He and Wang Jinghong, Mazu was the spiritual pillar of all the people who went to the West with him during his seven voyages. In its original words, it is said: "Sincerely, the imperial court is blessed and blessed, and the God of the Heavenly Concubine is blessed."

According to the General Annals of the People's Republic of China, Zheng He went to Meizhou to repair Mazu Temple before his first trip to the West.

When Zheng He made his third trip to the Western Ocean in the seventh year of Yongle, Zhu Zhuo, the young minister of Zheng He and Taichang Temple, made a sacrifice at Mount Meishan. According to the historical records, "The Three Guardians of the Middle Kingdom and the Three Guardians of the People's Republic of China went to the Western Ocean to build a temple on the sea, and got a great deal of help. Zheng He and other officials led the Xingping Three Guardians to command thousands of government officials to visit the Meiyu comprador wood and stone to repair the temple."

With the support of Zheng He and others, Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty in the 14th year of Yongle wrote the "Royal Stele of Hongren Puji Tianfei Palace", which said that "... the gods of Meizhou washed their souls, traveled to Xuanpu in the evening, helped the weak and the weak to enjoy, and prayed and listened as soon as they called...", which made the Tianfei Temple sacrifice more solemn and warm. Later, the capital also built Mazu Temple, and treated Mazu Goddess with respect.

In Putian, a local "The Queen of Heaven" also records such a story: in the first year of Yongle, Emperor Cheng Zu, the imperial envoy Zheng He went to the west, encountered the raging waves on the way, prayed for God's protection, and then got safe. He returned to the top, and was ordered to send the official Meiyu to pay a sacrifice, and rewarded his family with 500 pieces of Sun Baochao each. That's because Mazu blessed Zheng He and his descendants were rewarded by the court.

"If the water transport in the Yuan Dynasty spread the Mazu belief from the south to the north, then Zheng He and Wang Jinghong's voyages to the west mainly spread the Mazu worship from the sea to the overseas, that is, the Mazu belief in the Ming Dynasty expanded overseas," said Jiang Weixuan. (Cultural consultant of the board of directors of Mazu Temple in Meizhou and academic commissioner of Fujian and Taiwan Exchange Association)

In the coastal areas, sincere sacrifice to Mazu's mother can bring peace to the country and the people.

Mazu, also known as the Princess of Heaven, the Queen of Heaven, the Holy Mother of Heaven, and the Mother of Mother, is a god believed by boatman, seamen, passengers, businessmen and fishermen of all ages. In ancient times, ships were often attacked by wind and waves, and people died. The safety of sailors became the main problem for seafarers. They placed their hopes on the protection of gods. Before the ship sets sail, it is necessary to sacrifice the princess of heaven to pray for the safety of the wind. The princess of heaven is also enshrined on the ship.

At the mouth of Meizhou Bay, Putian City, Fujian Province, there is a beautiful island called Meizhou Island. There is a majestic and magnificent temple on the island, dedicated to Mazu, the world-famous "sea god".

Mazu was born in the family of an official and is the twenty-second granddaughter of Lin Lu, the king of Jin'an Prefecture in the Jin Dynasty of Fujian Province. It is a famous local family. Her original name was Lin Mo, Mazu's father Lin Weikuo, and her mother Wang Shi. Both of them do good deeds and accumulate virtue.

Mazu is a descendant of the famous Jiumu Lin family in Putian. Mazu's great-grandfather, Lin Baoji, from Putian, joined the army of the Northern Song Dynasty, and Lin Baoji participated in the battle command. Mazu's grandfather, Lin Fu from Putian, and Mazu's father, Lin Yue from Putian, resigned and returned home.

In order to protect the people, the Barefoot Immortal asked the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother to seal a sea god.

Later, the Barefoot Immortal inspected the world and found that the Linyuan family had great merit and virtue, and did good deeds and accumulated virtue for the benefit of the common people, so he chose the Linjia family and gave birth to the future sea god Mazu.

When the time was ripe, Lin wished his wife, Wang Shi, to pray for Goddess of Mercy to give birth to a child.

Guanyin Bodhisattva bless and bless, appear and give a flower to hatch. So Mazu's mother Wang became pregnant.

After 14 months of pregnancy, on the evening of March 23, the first year of Jianlong's reign in the Northern Song Dynasty (960), Wang was about to give birth, and saw a red light shining into the room from the northwest. The light was dazzling and the fragrance was lingering.

I heard the rumbling around again, like spring thunder, and the ground turned purple. Wang felt the shock in his stomach, and Mazu was born. Because of his strange birth, he loved him very much.

She was born to the full moon without crying, so her father named her "silent".

As for Mazu, the earliest historical data is recorded in Liao Pengfei's "Records of the Reconstruction of Shunji Temple at Shengdunzu Temple" written in the 20th year of Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty, which said: "The Goddess of Heaven is also passed down from generation to generation. The surname is Lin, a person from Meizhou Island, who can predict the fate of people..."

The same record also appeared in Volume IV of Sancai Soushen Daquan of the Ming Dynasty: "Lin Mo's mother, Chen Shi, tasted the sweet sailing of the South China Sea, swallowed it, and became pregnant. She gave birth to a concubine in the 14th month. The smell of the strange smell on the day of her birth was heard, and it lasted for ten days." Volume II of the Qing Dynasty's "Ancient and Modern Book Integration · Divine Canon" wrote according to Putian County Annals: "When Lin Mo was born, the ground turned purple, and there was auspicious light and fragrance. When Lin Mo was one year old, he saw the gods in his swaddling clothes, and made a gesture of worship with his hands crossed. At the age of five, he could recite the Compassion Sutra, and at the age of eleven, he could dance according to the festival.

When I was young, I was meditating at home one day and reading poetry and books. I saw a strange Taoist passing by the door. I suddenly realized that I wanted to worship him as a teacher (Zhuge Changqing: this is the change of the barefoot immortal) and got the 'Mysterious Truth'.

So when I grow up, I can understand the secret law and predict the end of the blame. If the villagers tell me about the disease, they will be willing. These all mean that she was born with powers, young people admired Tao, good at divination, good at medicine, and relieved the people's worries; As an adult, Mazu's characteristics are even more prominent. She is determined to help all living beings and never marry. Her parents finally complied with her wishes, making her more devoted to charity.

Because she has always studied medical theory, often treated people's diseases, and taught them to prevent and eliminate disasters, she has won everyone's admiration and respect, and people all appreciate her merits. Lin Mosu is gentle and helpful. To solve the problems of the villagers in the neighborhood without paying back is to guide people to avoid misfortunes and prevent shipwrecks. The villagers in the neighborhood are willing to discuss with her and ask for help when they encounter difficulties. Over time, the story of Lin Mo's kindness and righteousness gradually spread

Lin Mo, who grew up on the shore of the sea, is also familiar with astronomy, meteorology and water. There are many reefs in the strait between Meizhou Island and the mainland. The fishing boats and merchant ships in the sea are often rescued by Linmo, so it is said that she can cross the sea. She will also measure good fortune and bad fortune, and will inform the shipowner in advance whether she can sail, so she also said that she can "predict what will happen" and called her "Goddess" and "Dragon Lady".

In 987 (the ninth day of September in the fourth year of Yongxi reign of Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty), Lin Mo, who was only twenty-eight years old, rose to prominence. On this day, people on Meizhou Island saw that Mazu and his sisters climbed to the top of the Mekong Peak and said goodbye to their relatives. After that, they drove the auspicious clouds in the long wind alone and flew between the sky and the bright sun. Suddenly, they saw the colorful clouds and people could not see them again. Since then, people at sea often see Lin Mo flying at sea in red clothes to rescue people in distress. Therefore, the statue of Mazu was gradually widely worshipped on the ships to pray for a safe and smooth sailing.

Mazu has been running in the sea all his life, rescuing emergencies and rescuing many fishing boats and merchant ships in the rough seas; She is determined to save all living beings and protect the fishermen. She is dedicated to doing good and helping the world. According to historical data, Mazu was awarded many times in the Northern Song Dynasty, Southern Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, with titles ranging from Lady, Princess of Heaven, Queen of Heaven to Virgin of Heaven, and finally included in Taoist and national ceremonies.

Mazu villagers felt the benefits of curing diseases and saving people. In the same year, they built a temple on Meizhou Island to worship it. This is the famous Mazu Temple (Taoist Temple) in Meizhou. The Ancestral Temple was expanded in 1023-1032 AD (the year of Tiansheng) and is becoming more and more magnificent. In 1403-1424 (Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty), the navigator Zheng He was ordered to come to Meiyu twice to host the imperial ceremony and expand the temple.

By the time of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty, the "Sea Dragon Palace" with five groups of buildings had been formed. Unfortunately, the original magnificent building complex has been abandoned: 1. The existing original building is only "Lin Mo's parents' temple", which is small in scale.

Meizhou Ancestral Temple has carried out a lot of restoration and construction work, and invested more than 100 million yuan to build the new Mazu Temple. The new temple is magnificent and is known as the "Potala Palace on the Sea" by the world. After thousands of years of spiritual transmission, with the believers going abroad, Mazu has also gradually moved from Meizhou to the world, becoming an international god that crosses national boundaries, and has a significant impact on the marine culture of East Asia and the coastal culture of China, which is called Mazu culture by scholars.

In addition to the Upper Mazu Temple on Meizhou Island, Putian, the Temple of Heaven in Quanzhou, the Temple of Heaven in Qing'an, Ningbo, the Temple of Heaven in Tianjin, the Mazu Pavilion in Macao, the Chaotian Palace and the Mazu Temple in Lugang, Beigang, Taiwan, the Temple of Heaven in the Island of Ma Yu, Shantou, the Old Mother's Palace in Shengping Road, Shantou, and the Wushi Temple of Heaven in Zhangpu, Zhangzhou are famous temples of the Temple of Heaven in China. Taoist title: Fu Dou Zhao, filial piety, pure spiritual response, Fu Ji, protection of the country, Miao Ling Zhao, benevolence, and universal assistance to the imperial concubine.

Because Lin Mo saved the world and helped the people, Ze was granted a seal by the imperial court, and the coastal people respected him as the sea god, and set up a temple for sacrifice. Later, because of its extraordinary spirit, it appeared repeatedly in the sea. Those who crossed the sea prayed for it. They were honored as the Holy Mother in the sky, and temples were everywhere in the sea. Mazu belief has gone through more than 1000 years since its birth. At first, it was a folk belief, later it became a Taoist belief, and finally it became the object of national sacrifices in all dynasties. It has lasted for a long time, spread widely, and had a profound impact, which is unprecedented in other folk beliefs and beyond consideration. The reverence and commendation of the emperors of the past dynasties promoted Mazu from a folk god to an official god of navigation protection. Moreover, the divinity became higher and higher, and the scope of dissemination became wider and wider. From Puyi to the whole world, no one knows and no god can replace it.

The mention of Mazu's sainthood began in 1122 (the fourth year of Xuanhe in the Northern Song Dynasty) when Lu Yundi sent an envoy to Gaoli, "feeling the divine skill, playing it. The temple was built at the mouth of the river to worship it, and (Huizong) granted Shunji to the temple." Later, Mazu's reasons for being sealed were "the divine fog to help the prosperity, the spring hunger", and "the god to help the fire to burn the strong bandits" (Records of Meizhou Island, Volume II, Title).

From 1156 (the 26th year of Shaoxing, Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty) to the Qing Dynasty, the emperors of the past dynasties have been consecrated for 36 times, and the title has increased from 2 words to 64 words. The title of the title changed from wife, concubine, and heavenly concubine (the reign of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty) to the capital of the temple, and was granted the empress dowager in 1648 (the 23rd year of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty). It is also included in the national sacrificial ceremony for the Spring and Autumn Festival, and its religion is Taoism.

Mazu received 36 national ceremonies in the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Xianfeng of the Qing Dynasty granted the longest title of "protecting the country, protecting the people, Miao Lingzhao, honoring benevolence, helping the people, benefiting the people, sincere feeling, Xianfu, showing the gods, praising the people, and praising the people, giving mercy to the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the people, the, "After the deliberation of the Ministry of Rites, it was thought that the number of titles was too many to be solemn, and the word" Jiayou "was added after all the words." The Mazu Pavilion of Taoism is one of the oldest buildings in Macao.

The Mazu belief in Taiwan is very common. More than one third of Taiwanese believe in Mazu. There are 510 Mazu temples in Taiwan, including 116 in Tainan. They have many names, some of them are Tianfei Palace, Tiantian Palace and Mazu Temple; Some are called the Temple of Queen of Heaven, the Temple of Queen of Heaven, and the altar of the Virgin; Some are also called Wenyuan Hall, Chaotian Palace, Shuangci Pavilion, Anlan Hall, Zhongxing Gongcuo, Fenyang Hall, and Libiao Hall. Lin's relatives in Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong and Southeast Asia all call Mazu: Aunt, Grandmother, Goddess of Heaven, Goddess of Heaven, and so on. According to incomplete statistics, there are more than 200 million Mazu believers in the world, and more than 17 million in Taiwan alone. Mazu belief has changed all over the world, and races all over the world believe in Mazu, and pray for Mazu's eternal peace!

Praise and praise in previous dynasties

Song dynasty

In 1123, the fifth year of Xuanhe, Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty granted "Shunji Temple Amount"

In 1156, the 26th year of Shaoxing, Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty granted the title of "Lady Linghui"

In 1160, the thirtieth year of Shaoxing, Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty granted the title "Linghui Zhaoying Lady"

In 1166, the second year of the Qiandao reign, Song Xiaozong awarded "Linghuizhao Yingchongfu Lady"

In 1184, the 12th year of Chunxi's reign, Emperor Xiaozong of the Song Dynasty granted the title of "Ling Ci Zhao should respect the good fortune, good fortune and good fortune"

In 1192, the third year of the reign of Shaoxi, Emperor Guangzong of the Song Dynasty issued an edict to "Ling Hui Fei"

In 1198 of the fourth year of the Qingyuan era, Song Ningzong awarded the title of "Lady of Mercy"

In 1208, the first year of Jiading, Emperor Ningzong of Song Dynasty awarded "Xianwei"

In 1217 of the tenth year of Jiading, Song Ningzong granted the title "Ling Hui helps Shun Xian Wei Yinglie Princess"

In 1239, in the third year of the reign of Emperor Jiaxi, Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty granted the title of "Ling Hui helps Shun Ying Yinglie"

In 1254, the second year of Baoyou, Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty granted the title of "Ling Hui helps Shun to reward the martyrs and concubines"

In 1256, in the fourth year of Baoyou, Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty granted the title of "Linghui Association is honoring the Empress Tzu Chi"

In 1259, the first year of Kaiqing, Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty awarded "Xianji Princess"

In 1262, the third year of Jingding, Emperor Lizong of the Song Dynasty granted the title of "Ling Hui Xian Ji Jia Ying Shan Qing Fei"

yuan dynasty

In 1278, in the fifteenth year of the Zhiyuan era, the Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty granted the title of "protecting the country, protecting the spirit, benefiting the people, and helping the people to celebrate the beauty of the heaven"

In 1281, in the 18th year of the Zhiyuan era, the Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty granted the title of "protecting the country and protecting the imperial concubine"

In 1289, in the 26th year of the Zhiyuan era, the Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty granted the title of "protecting the country and protecting the beautiful imperial concubine"

In 1299, in the third year of Dade's reign, Emperor Chengzong of the Yuan Dynasty granted the title of "assisting the saint to protect the people from the imperial concubine"

In 1314 of the first year of Yanyou, Emperor Renzong of the Yuan Dynasty granted the title of "protecting the country and protecting the people, Guangji Mingzhu Tianfei"

In 1329 of the second calendar year, Emperor Wenzong of the Yuan Dynasty granted the title of "protecting the country and sheltering the people, Guangji, benefiting the Ming Dynasty's imperial concubine"

In 1354, the 14th year of the Zhizheng reign, Emperor Huizong of the Yuan Dynasty (Emperor Shun of the Yuan Dynasty) granted the title of "supporting the country, protecting the saints, protecting the people, and benefiting the heavenly concubine"

the ming dynasty

In 1372, the fifth year of Hongwu's reign, the Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty granted the title of "Zhao Xiao, pure and sincere, and Fu Ji, the Holy Concubine"

In 1409, in the seventh year of Yongle, the Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty granted the title of "protecting the country and protecting the people, Miao Lingzhao, Hongren and Puji Tianfei"

Qing Dynasty

In 1684, the 23rd year of the Kangxi reign, the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty granted the title of "protecting the country and protecting the people, Miao Lingzhao, should be the merciful queen"

In 1737, in the second year of Qianlong's reign, the Emperor Gaozong of the Qing Dynasty granted the title of "Miao Ling Zhao Ying Hong Ren, Pu Ji, Fu You and the Queen of Heaven"

In 1814, the fifth year of Jiaqing, Emperor Renzong of the Qing Dynasty“

妈祖娘娘，中华民族保护神。保护中华民族幸福安康。

----- 诸葛长青 

   中华民族很多保护神。

   妈祖娘娘是其中一位杰出的女神。

   妈祖原名叫林默娘，自幼慈悲，潜心学习道术、医术，奉献自我、造福苍生、救助民众，被赤脚大仙推荐给天庭，后被玉皇大帝、王母娘娘敕封为神。

   妈祖，是以中国东南沿海为中心、包括东亚等地区信仰的海神，是历代船工、海员、旅客、商人和渔民共同信奉的神祗。

   妈祖的真名为林默，又称默娘，诞生于宋建隆元年（960年）农历三月二十三日。宋太宗雍熙四年（987年）九月初九逝世。

   因林默娘救世济人，泽被一方，被朝廷赐封，沿海人民便尊其为海神，立庙祭祀。妈祖信仰从产生至今，经历了1000多年，起初作为民间信仰，后来成为道教信仰，最终成为历朝历代国家祭祀的对象

    中央电视台曾经播出关于妈祖的电视剧《妈祖》。

   《妈祖》是一部反映妈祖生平祖事迹的神话励志剧,以广泛流传的30多个妈祖民间传说为素材,力求还原一个可敬,可亲,可爱的圣贤妈祖形象,展示博大精深的妈祖文化,传扬以妈祖文化为代表的东方海洋文化。

    有缘者可以搜索看看这部《妈祖》电视剧，看了之后，会对妈祖娘娘、道教文化等有深入了解。

    诸葛长青认为，靠海的沿海地方如果建立妈祖娘娘庙、建造妈祖娘娘神像、供奉妈祖娘娘，祈求妈祖娘娘保佑，可得到护佑。

    历朝历代朝廷都祭祀妈祖。

   明朝郑和七次下西洋，每次往返都祭祀妈祖。正是得到妈祖娘娘保佑，圆满完成七下西洋航海成功。

   郑和与王景弘每次出洋前，都要祭奠天妃，顺利返航后更要祭谢女神。

   据郑和与王景弘撰写的《天妃灵应之记》碑记载，在其七下西洋的历程里，妈祖是所有同下西洋人员的精神支柱。用其原话说是：“诚荷朝廷威福之致，尤赖天妃之神保佑之德也。”

   据《八闽通志》，郑和第一次下西洋之前，就前往湄洲整修妈祖祖庙。

　　永乐七年郑和第三次下西洋时，郑和和太常寺少卿朱焯奉旨湄山致祭。史料记载：“中贵人三保者下西洋，为建庙宇海上，大获征应。郑和等率领兴平三卫指挥千百户并府县官员诣湄屿买办木石，修整庙宇。”

　　在郑和等人的力陈下，永乐十四年明成祖亲自撰写《御制弘仁普济天妃宫碑》，称“……湄洲神人濯其灵，朝游玄圃暮蓬瀛，扶危济弱俾屯享，呼之即应祷即聆……”使天妃庙祭更加隆重、热烈，之后，京师也兴建起妈祖庙，对妈祖女神礼待有加。

　　莆田当地的一部《天后显圣录》还记载着这样一个故事：成祖永乐元年，钦差大臣郑和下西洋，途遇海浪狂飙，祷神求庇遂得安全，归奏上，奉旨差官湄屿致祭，赏其族孙宝钞各五百贯。说的是因为妈祖保佑郑和，其后代得到朝廷的奖赏。

　　“如果说元代漕运是把妈祖信仰由南方传播到北方外，那么，郑和与王景弘下西洋则主要是把妈祖崇拜由海内向海外传播，即明代妈祖信仰向海外扩大。”蒋维锬说。（湄洲妈祖祖庙董事会文化顾问、省闽台交流协会学术专员）

   沿海地区，真诚祭祀妈祖娘娘，可以国泰民安。

   妈祖，又称天妃、天后、天上圣母、娘妈，是历代船工、海员、旅客、商人和渔民共同信奉的神祇。古代在海上航行经常受到风浪的袭击而船沉人亡，船员的安全成航海者的主要问题，他们把希望寄托于神灵的保佑。在船舶启航前要先祭天妃，祈求保佑顺风和安全，在船舶上还立天妃神位供奉。

   在福建省莆田市湄洲湾口，有一个美丽的岛屿叫湄洲岛。岛上有一座巍峨雄伟、金碧辉煌的庙宇，供奉着世界闻名的“海神”妈祖。

   妈祖出生于仕宦之家，是福建晋代晋安郡王林禄的二十二世孙女。是当地的望族。她原名林默，妈祖父亲林惟悫，母亲王氏，二人多行善积德。
   妈祖是莆田望族九牧林氏后裔。妈祖曾祖父莆田人林保吉，参加北宋军队，林保吉参与了作战指挥。妈祖祖父莆田人林孚，妈祖父亲莆田人林愿，林愿后辞官回乡。

    为了保护民众，赤脚大仙，请玉帝、王母娘娘敕封一个海神。

   后来，赤脚大仙考察人间，发现林愿家族功德很大，行善积德造福苍生，于是选准林家，诞生未来海神妈祖。

   机缘成熟，林愿妻子王氏祈求观音菩萨保佑生孩子。

   观音菩萨护佑加持，现身赐一朵孵化。于是妈祖母亲王氏便怀了孕。

   王氏怀孕14个月后，到北宋建隆元年（960年）三月二十三日傍晚，王氏将近分娩，见一道红光，从西北射入室中，光辉夺目，香气飘荡，久久不散。

   又听得四周隆隆作响，好似春雷轰鸣，地变紫色。王氏感到腹中震动，妈祖于是降生。因生得奇，甚为疼爱。

   她出生至满月，不哭不闹，因此，父亲给她取名“默”。

   关于妈祖，最早史料记载于，南宋廖鹏飞于绍兴廿年所写的〈圣墩祖庙重建顺济庙记〉谓：“世传通天神女也。姓林氏，湄洲屿人，能预知人祸福……”

   同样的记载也出现于明代的《三裁搜神大全》卷四：“林默母陈氏，尝梦南海慈航，与之优钵花，吞之，已而孕，十四月始娩身得妃，诞之日异香闻里许，经旬不散。”清代《古今图书集成·神异典》卷二八按《莆田县志》这样写道：“林默出生时，而地变紫，有祥光异香。林默则满周岁时，在襁褓中看见诸神像，叉手作欲拜状。五岁能诵《慈航经》，十一岁能婆娑按节乐神。
   少年时，一日在家静思熟读诗书，偶见一怪异道人从门前过，心中顿悟，拜之为师（诸葛长青：这是赤脚大仙变化的），得‘玄微真法’。

   故长大后，能通悟秘法，预知休咎，乡民若以病告，辄意。这些都是说她有生有异能，少年慕道，精于占卜，长于医术，为民解忧；成年后的妈祖，这些特点更是突出，立志普济众生，坚决不嫁，父母最终也都顺从了她的意愿，使她更能专心致志地做慈善事业。

   由于平素精研医理，常为众人治病，教众人防疫消灾，也就赢得了大家的钦佩尊重，人们无一不感颂她的功德。林默素来性情和顺，热心助人。不图回报的为邻里乡亲们排忧解难，更是常引导人们趋吉避凶，预防海难。邻里乡亲遇到困难，都愿意跟她商量，请求帮助，久而久之，林默大仁大义的事迹也就逐渐的传开了.
   生长在大海之滨的林默，还通晓天文气象，熟习水性。湄洲岛与大陆之间的海峡有不少礁石，在这海域里遇难的渔舟、商船，常得到林默的救助，因而人们传说她能乘席渡海。她还会测吉凶，必会事前告知船户可否出航，所以又说她能“预知休咎事”，称她为“神女”、“龙女”。
   987年（宋太宗雍熙四年九月初九），是年仅二十八岁的林默羽化飞升之日。这一天，湄洲岛上群众纷纷看见，妈祖同诸姐登高于湄峰之巅，告别亲人们之后，独自乘长风驾祥云，翱翔于苍天皎日之间，忽见彩云布合，人亦不可复见。此后，航海的人又常见林默身着红装飞翔在海上，救助遇难呼救的人。因此，海船上就逐渐地普遍供奉妈祖神像，以祈求航行平安顺利。

    妈祖一生在大海中奔驰，救急扶危，在惊涛骇浪中拯救过许多渔舟商船；她立志普救众生，护佑渔民，专以行善济世为已任。历代对妈祖的赐封根据史料，北宋、南宋、元、明、清几个朝代都对妈祖多次褒封，封号从夫人、天妃、天后到天上圣母，并最终列入道教祭典和国家祀典。

   妈祖乡人感其治病救人的恩惠，于同年在湄洲岛上建庙祀之，这就是名闻遐迩的湄洲妈祖庙（道观）。祖庙于公元1023-1032年（天圣年间）扩建，日臻雄伟。1403年-1424年（明永乐年间），航海家郑和曾两次奉旨来湄屿主持御祭仪式并扩建庙宇。

   至清康熙时，已形成了具有五组建筑群的“海上龙宫”。可惜，原有金碧辉煌的建筑群已废圯，现存原建只剩下“林默的父母祠”，规模较小。

   湄洲祖庙进行了大量的复原修建工作，另投资1亿多元兴建了妈祖新殿，新殿宏伟壮观，被世人誉为“海上布达拉宫”。经过千百年的分灵传播，随着信众走出国门，妈祖也从湄洲逐渐走向世界，成为一尊跨越国界的国际性神祇，并对于东亚海洋文化及中国沿海文化产生重大的影响，被学者们称为妈祖文化。

    除莆田湄洲岛的上妈祖庙外，泉州的天后宫，宁波庆安的天后宫，天津的天后宫，澳门的妈祖阁，台湾北港的朝天宫和鹿港妈祖庙，汕头妈屿岛的天后古庙，汕头市区升平路的老妈宫，漳州漳浦的乌石天后宫为中国天后宫有名的大庙。道教封号：辅兜昭孝纯正灵应孚济护国庇民妙灵昭应弘仁普济天妃。

    因林默救世济人，泽被一方，被朝廷赐封，沿海人民尊为海神，立庙祭祀。后因灵异非常，屡显灵于海上，渡海者皆祷之，被尊为天上圣母，庙宇遍海甸。妈祖信仰从产生至今，经历了1000多年，起初作为民间信仰，后来成为道教信仰，最后成为历朝历代国家祭祀的对象，它延续之久，传播之广，影响之深，都是其他民间信仰所不曾有过，不可思议的。历代皇帝的尊崇和褒封，使妈祖由民间神提升为官方的航海保护神，而且神格越来越高，传播的面越来越广。由莆邑一带走向五湖四海，达到无人不知，无神能替代的程度。
   提到妈祖的显圣，始于1122年（北宋宣和四年）路允迪出使高丽，“感神功，奏上。立庙江口祀之，（徽宗）赐顺济庙额。”其后，妈祖的加封原因皆为“神雾神济兴、泉饥”，“以神助火焚强寇”（《湄洲屿志略·卷二·封号》）。

   从1156年（宋高宗绍兴二十六年）起至清朝，历代皇帝先后36次册封，封号由2字累至64字。爵位由夫人、妃，天妃（明永乐年间），立庙京师，而至1648年（清康熙二十三年）封天后。　并列入国家祀典，进行春秋祭祀，所属宗教为道教。

   妈祖在宋，元，明，清受到的国家祀典就达36次，清朝咸丰给予最长封号“护国庇民妙灵昭应弘仁普济福佑群生诚感咸孚显神赞顺垂慈笃佑安澜利运泽覃海宇恬波宣惠导流衍庆靖洋锡祉恩周德溥卫漕保泰振武绥疆天后之神”，后来同治十一年（1872年），要再加封时，“经礼部核议，以为封号字号过多，转不足以昭郑重，全部字后再加上‘嘉佑’二字。”道教的妈祖阁为澳门最古老建筑之一。
   台湾的妈祖信仰十分普遍，台胞三分之一以上信仰妈祖，台湾全岛共有大小妈祖庙510座，其中台南一地即有116座。它们的名字很多，有的叫天妃宫、天后宫、妈祖庙；有的叫天后寺、天后祠、圣母坛；也有的叫文元堂、朝天宫、双慈亭、安澜厅、中兴公厝、纷阳殿、提标馆等。福建、台湾、广东及东南亚的林氏宗亲都称妈祖为：姑婆、姑婆祖、天后圣姑、天上圣母姑婆等。据不完全统计，全世界有妈祖信众2亿多人，仅在台湾就有信众1700多万。妈祖信仰流变全球，全世界各地种族纷纷信仰妈祖，祈求妈祖永保平安！

   历代褒封

   宋朝

宣和五年1123年，宋徽宗赐“顺济庙额”

绍兴二十六年1156年，宋高宗封“灵惠夫人”

绍兴三十年1160年，宋高宗加封“灵惠昭应夫人”

乾道二年1166年，宋孝宗封“灵惠昭应崇福夫人”

淳熙十二年1184年，宋孝宗封“灵慈昭应崇福善利夫人”

绍熙三年1192年，宋光宗诏封“灵惠妃”

庆元四年1198年，宋宁宗封“慈惠夫人”

嘉定元年1208年，宋宁宗封“显卫”

嘉定十年1217年，宋宁宗封“灵惠助顺显卫英烈妃”

嘉熙三年1239年，宋理宗封“灵惠助顺嘉应英烈妃”

宝祐二年1254年，宋理宗封“灵惠助顺嘉应英烈协正妃”

宝祐四年1256年，宋理宗封“灵惠协正嘉应慈济妃”

开庆元年1259年，宋理宗封“显济妃”

景定三年1262年，宋理宗封“灵惠显济嘉应善庆妃”

元朝

至元十五年1278年，元世祖封“护国明著灵惠协正善庆显济天妃”

至元十八年1281年，元世祖封“护国明著天妃”

至元二十六年1289年，元世祖封“护国显佑明著天妃”

大德三年1299年，元成宗封“辅圣庇民明著天妃”

延佑元年1314年，元仁宗加封“护国庇民广济明著天妃”

天历二年1329年，元文宗封“护国庇民广济福惠明著天妃”

至正十四年1354年，元惠宗（元顺帝）封“辅国护圣庇民广济福惠明著天妃”

明朝

洪武五年1372年，明太祖封“昭孝纯正孚济感应圣妃”

永乐七年1409年，明成祖封“护国庇民妙灵昭应弘仁普济天妃”

清朝

康熙二十三年1684年，清圣祖封“护国庇民妙灵昭应仁慈天后”

乾隆二年1737年，清高宗封“妙灵昭应宏仁普济福佑群生天后”

嘉庆五年1814年，清仁宗封“护国庇民妙灵昭应弘仁普济福佑群生诚感咸孚显神赞顺垂慈笃祐天后”

道光十九年1839年，清宣宗封“护国庇民妙灵昭应弘仁普济福佑群生诚感咸孚显神赞顺垂慈笃祜安澜利运泽覃海宇天后”

咸丰七年1857年，清文宗封“护国庇民妙灵昭应弘仁普济福佑群生诚感咸孚显神赞顺垂慈笃祜安澜利运泽覃海宇恬波宣惠道流衍庆靖洋锡祉恩周德溥卫漕保泰振武绥疆天后之神”

现代

2009年10月，妈祖信仰入选联合国教科文组织人类非物质文化遗产代表作名录。

(This article is an original article by Zhuge Changqing, and the pictures are selected from the Internet. Welcome to forward it, and please indicate the source for forwarding)

Introduction to Zhuge Changqing: Zhuge Changqing, the inheritor and promoter of traditional Chinese culture, is willing to "learn from sages, promote virtue, revitalize China and benefit the world" together with people with the same ideals in the world.

(Zhuge Changqing: zhuge8031@163.com ）

Zhuge Changqing mailbox：

zhuge8031@163.com

Zhuge Changqing's Chinese Dream

Learn from sages and carry forward virtue

Revitalizing China for the benefit of the world

 （本文是诸葛长青原创文章，图片选自网络。欢迎转发，转发引用请注明出处）

诸葛长青简介：诸葛长青，中国国学传统文化传承弘扬者，愿与天下志同道合者一起“学习圣贤、弘扬善德、振兴中华、造福世界”。

（诸葛长青：zhuge8031@163.com）

Zhuge Changqing mailbox：

zhuge8031@163.com

  诸葛长青中国梦  

学习圣贤 弘扬善德

振兴中华 造福世界

Selected Articles in Previous Periods

Click the article title to view

往期精选文章

点击文章标题查看

1The wisdom of traditional Chinese culture changes the destiny: filial piety to parents+five in one+self-improvement

1 国学智慧改命运：孝敬父母+五合一+自强不息

2Zhuge Changqing's Three Golden Keys to Changing Destiny

2诸葛长青改命运三把金钥匙诸葛长青施食仪轨 （十五步简洁版）

3Zhuge Changqing's Greeting Ritual (15 Steps Concise Version)

3 诸葛长青施食仪轨 （十五步简洁版）

4How to repent: the ritual of repentance and the method of repentance (full version)

4   如何忏悔：忏悔仪轨忏悔方法（完整版）

5How to read the Dizang Sutra: Methods for reciting Dizang Sutra (complete version)

5 如何念地藏经：念地藏经仪轨方法（完整版）

6How to release? The ritual of releasing life

6怎样放生？放生仪轨

7Zhuge Changqing's Repentance Culture: A Case Study of Repentance Methods for Changing Destiny

7诸葛长青忏悔文化：改变命运忏悔方法案例

8Free Life Culture: Free Life Culture in Ancient China

8放生文化：中国古代的放生文化

9Shocking photo of feeding: Buddha, Bodhisattva and Dharma Protector come to the scene

9施食震撼照片：佛菩萨护法神亲临现场

10Feeding Rite Return: the return is changed to simple return

10施食仪轨回向：回向修改为简洁回向