Mazu Culture: Why do people worship Mazu?

妈祖文化：人们为什么崇拜妈祖？

Mazu, the patron saint of the Chinese nation. It is the "god of protection" of the Chinese nation at sea.

-----Zhuge Changqing

Chinese culture is extensive and profound, with many celebrities and brilliant stars.

Chinese people should be proud to be born and raised in China.

As the great Buddha Sakyamuni said, being born in China is a great fortune in life.

Zhuge Changqing believes that China is a country blessed by Buddha, Bodhisattva and immortals. Mazu is one of the protection gods. Mazu's compassion and behavior are worshipped and appreciated by people.

Looking through the history and looking into the ancient and modern times, people will find that the coastal areas, including the countries in the southeast coast, are quietly worshipping a marine protection god - Mazu.

Mazu is the patron saint of people going to sea, and a goddess of mercy. Especially the coastal countries in the South and Southeast Asia. People not only go to sea to worship Mazu, but also worship Mazu on major festivals. Taiwan also holds a parade to commemorate Mazu around the island every year. Every year, March 23 of the lunar calendar is Mazu's birthday and the ninth day of September when Mazu rises to heaven.

So, who is Mazu?

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, sailing on the sea was often attacked by wind and waves. Before the ship set sail, it was necessary to sacrifice the princess of heaven to pray for the safety of the wind. The princess of heaven was also enshrined on the ship.

1、 Introduction to Mazu's Life

Zhuge Changqing: Mazu has been admired by people for her excellent wisdom, vast magic power, good deeds and virtue. It is sometimes seen as the embodiment of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Mazu is a descendant of the famous Jiumu Lin family in Putian, Fujian. It is a native of Meizhou, Putian County, Qingyuan Army of the Southern Tang Dynasty (Meizhou Island, Xiuyu District, Putian City, Fujian Province today). Mazu's grandfather, Lin Fu, lives in Fujian Province. The father, Lin Yuan (Weiyin), was appointed as the chief inspector in the early Song Dynasty. Before she was born, her parents had given birth to five daughters and a son, and they hoped to have another son, so they burned incense every day and prayed for the early gift of Liner.

On the evening before the baby girl was born, the neighbors saw the meteor turn into a red light from the northwest sky, shining brilliantly, making the rocks on the island red.

Therefore, the parents felt that the baby girl must not be the daughter of leisure, so they loved her very much. Because she didn't cry from birth to the end of the moon, she was named Lin Mo. Her parents also called her Lin Mo Niang, Mo Niang.

Lin Mo was wiser and wiser than other sisters when she was young. When she was eight years old, she began to study from a teacher. She could not only read from scratch, but also understand the meaning of words. When she grew up, she was determined to do good and help others all her life, determined not to marry, and her parents complied with her wishes.

She devotes herself to the cause of charity and public welfare, always studies medical science, treats people, teaches people to prevent and eliminate disasters, and people all praise her. She is gentle and helpful. As long as she can solve disputes for her fellow villagers, she is willing to do it, and often guides people to avoid misfortunes and seek good luck. People are also willing to discuss with her and ask her for help in case of difficulties.

Lin Mo, who grew up on the shore of the sea, also knows astronomy and meteorology, and is familiar with water nature. 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 by seat". She will also predict the weather change and inform the shipowner whether to sail in advance, so it is also said that she can "predict what will happen" and call 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 died at the age of 28. On this day, people on Meizhou Island said that they saw a colorful cloud rising on Meifeng Mountain. Since then, sailors have also said that it is common for Lin Mo to fly 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 not to marry with compassion, but to do good and help the world. Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian is the hometown of Mazu, the goddess of peace on the sea, and the birthplace of Mazu culture. Meizhou Mazu Temple, with a history of 1000 years, is the "ancestral temple" of more than 4000 Mazu temples in more than 20 countries and regions in the world. Throughout the year, millions of pilgrims from home and abroad come to Mazu Ancestral Temple for pilgrimage. Every year on the birthday of Mazu on March 23 of the lunar calendar and the day of Mazu's ascension on September 9 of the lunar calendar, the people on the island will hold various activities to worship Mazu. At the same time, Mazu believers at home and abroad have come to pay homage. The whole Meizhou Island is full of people and is known as the "Oriental Mecca".

2、 Mazu ascended to heaven and became a god, becoming the sea protection god of the Chinese nation

Zhuge Changqing: Mazu is a god of good deeds and virtue. She is sanctified by the body. From mortals to immortals. It was granted by the court of heaven.

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.

Inmo Niang was kind to the people before her death, and was honored as the goddess of the sea by the coastal people after her ascension.

Later, the spirits appeared on the sea repeatedly, and those who crossed the sea prayed for it. They were honored as the "psychic goddess", and the temples were everywhere in Haidian.

Mazu belief has experienced more than 1000 years since its birth. As a folk belief, it has lasted for a long time, spread widely and had a deep impact, which is unprecedented in other folk worship.

The worship and commendation of the emperors of the past dynasties promoted Mazu from a folk god to an official navigation protection god, and 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 changed from "Madam", "Concubine" and "Heavenly Concubine" (during the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty) to "Queen of Heaven" in 1648 (the 23rd year of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty). It was included in the national sacrificial ceremony for the Spring and Autumn Festival. Therefore, the folk belief in Mazu has become more fixed, and the status of "sea god" has become more solid.

For thousands of years, many folk customs about Mazu have been preserved in Putian, reflecting the specific characteristics of Mazu belief. His belief in rites and customs, Mazu's words and deeds, and character were gradually absorbed by the people, forming many customs. Mazu, as a folk god of prayer and escort, has been spreading for more than 1000 years since the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. The temples dedicated to Mazu have Mazu temples in China's coastal provinces and cities, such as Chaozhou, Putian, Shantou, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Leizhou, Zhanjiang, Hainan, and other provinces in the mainland except Qinghai, Xinjiang, and Tibet. Mazu Palace Integration is a collection of records of Mazu Palace temples in more than 500 counties and cities in 30 provinces and cities (including Hong Kong and Macao). With the increasingly developed traffic between the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, and with the Chinese footprint throughout the world, including Japan, Southeast Asia, Canada, the United States, and even Paris, Denmark, Brazil in South America.

3、 Empowerment of Mazu by successive dynasties

Zhuge Changqing: All the emperors of the past dynasties have granted Mazu the imperial edict, reflecting their gratitude to Mazu.

According to historical data, Mazu was praised many times in the Northern Song, Southern Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, with titles ranging from "Madam", "Princess of Heaven", "Queen of Heaven" to "Virgin of Heaven", and included in the national ritual.

When Mazu died, the villagers felt the benefits of curing the sick and saving the people. In the same year, they built a temple on Meizhou Island to worship Mazu. This is the famous Meizhou Mazu Temple.

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.

Zhuge Changqing: Zheng He, the Chinese navigator of the Ming Dynasty, personally presided over the construction of the temple, reflecting the importance of the royal family. The study found that Zheng He went to sea and was blessed by Mazu. Zheng He himself is proficient in various kinds of knowledge such as Confucianism and Taoism, and worships Mazu very much.

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.

In recent years, the Meizhou Ancestral Temple has carried out a lot of restoration and construction work, and invested more than 100 million yuan to build a new Mazu Temple. The new temple is magnificent, and is known as the "Potala Palace on the Sea" by the world.

Today, many Mazu temples in Taiwan and Southeast Asia are separated from Mazu Temple in Meizhou, Putian. Meizhou Ancestral Temple is the common name and honorific name of Meizhou Mazu Temple, and is the holy land in the hearts of Mazu believers all over the world.

Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple is located in Meizhou, in the western and central part of the Taiwan Strait, under the jurisdiction of Putian City, Fujian Province. It is more than 40 kilometers away from the southeast of Putian City and can be reached by ferry from Wenjia Wharf in 20 minutes; It is 20 nautical miles away from Wuqiu Island in the east (Wuqiu was originally under the jurisdiction of Putian County, Fujian Province, and now under the jurisdiction of Jinmen County, Taiwan Province).

Meizhou Ancestral Temple is the ancestral temple of more than 2000 Mazu temples (palaces) in the world. After thousands of years of spiritual transmission, Mazu has gradually moved from Meizhou to the world and become an international god across national boundaries as believers go abroad.

In addition to the Upper Mazu Temple on Meizhou Island in Putian, the Temple of Queen of Heaven in Quanzhou, the Temple of Queen of Heaven in Qing'an, Ningbo, the Temple of Queen of Heaven in Tianjin, the Mazu Pavilion in Macao, the Chaotian Palace in Beigang, Taiwan, and the Mazu Temple in Lugang, and the Wushi Temple of Queen of Heaven in Zhangpu are the famous temples of the Temple of Queen of Heaven in China. Zhuge Changqing: Now there are Mazu temples in Chinese places all over the world. The great Mazu silently protects the Chinese people.

In the Song Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty, the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty received 36 national ceremonies. Xianfeng of the Qing Dynasty granted the longest title of "protecting the country, protecting the people, Miao Lingzhao, honoring the benevolence, helping the people, blessing the people, sincere feeling, Xianfu, showing the gods, praising the obedience, mercy, and blessing of the people, and benefiting the people of the country, Tan Haiyu, Tianbo, and Xuanhui, guiding the people of the Qing Dynasty, and celebrating the people of the West, Zhou De, Pu Wei, Cao Baotai, Zhenwu, Suijiang, and the God of Heaven". Later, in the 11th year of Tongzhi (1872), when it was to be added, "After the deliberation of the Ministry of Rites, it was thought that the number of titles was too large to be solemn, and only the word" Jiayou "was added." Mazu Pavilion 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", "Aunt", "Queen of Heaven", "Heavenly Virgin" 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.

Most of the earliest Mazu temples in Taiwan are from Meizhou Ancestral Temple to Taiwan. From Jiaqing of the Qing Dynasty to Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (1796-1908), Taiwan's maritime trade flourished and its economy was developed. A lot of larger and larger ones, such as the Tainan Queen of Heaven Palace, emerged. In recent years, the open-air Mazu statue has been built in the Zhunan Queen of Heaven Palace. Up to now, there are 510 large Mazu temples in Taiwan. In Mazu Temple, there are Zhendian Mama, Second Mama, Second Mate, Third Mate, Fourth Mate, Third Mate, Turtle Dove Mama, Wenling Mama, Yintong Mama and Meizhou Mama. In addition to the Zhendian Mother, other Mazu statues can be used for the annual birthday tour in turn. Especially in the early Mazu Temple, there was a "remote worship" ceremony on the scheduled birthday, that is, when the ceremony of "kneeling three times and kowtowing nine times" was performed, all of them were facing the Meizhou Ancestral Temple in Putian. This common example fully demonstrates the profound significance of Taiwan compatriots' permanent yearning for the mainland.

4、 Legend of Mazu Spirit

Legend of Mazu Spirit

One of the legends of Mazu: Ganquan Jishi

According to records, in October of the 21st year of Kangxi, Shi Lang, the commander of the navy of the Qing army, was ordered to lead 30000 sailors stationed in Pinghai, waiting for the wind to cross Taiwan. At that time, the army was short of water due to drought. There is a filled waste well near the Tianhougong in Pinghai. Shi Lang ordered to dig it and secretly prayed to Mazu. After the well was dug, the spring water was sweet, which solved the problem of people and soldiers using water, and the spring water was never exhausted. Shi Lang thought that it was a gift from the gods to help teachers. He wrote the word "teacher spring" in his hand. This well still exists today.

The second legend of Mazu's apparition: helping the boat

It is said that on the night of December 26, the 21st year of Kangxi's reign, Shi Lang led his troops across the sea to attack Taipeng for the first time. Due to the lack of wind, the ship was very slow, so Shi Lang ordered to return to Pinghai. Soon, a strong wind blew up, and the boat on the warship was blown into the sea and disappeared. The next day, after the wind stopped, the order went out to search for the boats, which were all safely parked in the Meizhou Bay. The people on the boat reported that there was a light in the bow of the boat in the waves last night. It was like people holding the boat, which was the secret of the princess of heaven. Shi Lang was greatly moved, and ordered to renovate the Haitian Back Palace, rebuild the statue of Mazu, donate a lot of money to build the dressing building and the Chaotian Pavilion, and invite a statue of Mazu to be worshipped on the ship.

Zhuge Changqing: Shi Lang, the general of the Qing Dynasty, can be called the first general of the navy. He personally renovated the Mazu Temple, reflecting his gratitude.

The third legend of Mazu's apparition: Penghu Battle Aid

It is said that in June of the 22nd year of Kangxi's reign, Shi Lang led his troops to the east for the second time to attack Penghu. The soldiers in the army felt that the imperial concubines were helping the fight, and they all marched forward courageously. Consul Liu Chunmeng, the princess of heaven, told them that they would conquer Penghu on the 21st day and Taiwan in July. Later, the Qing troops attacked Penghu for seven days and nights, and Taiwan was unified. At that time, on the day when the Qing soldiers set out to attack Penghu, Mazu sent two divine generals, Qianli Eye and Shunfeng Ear, to assist in the battle, which is the myth of Mazu's "Penghu Assistance".

The Fourth Legend of Mazu's Phantom: Building a Temple by Dream

It is said that in the autumn of the 27th year of Shaoxing in the Song Dynasty (1157), in the White Lake, five miles east of Putian City, there were two people of the Zhang and Shao clans who dreamt of setting up a temple on the land of the gods. Later, it was proved that the land was indeed a good place, so the temple was built, and the temple was completed the next year. In the thirtieth year of Shaoxing, Song Dynasty, the people went to the temple to pray after the invasion of the pirates. Suddenly, a strong wind broke out, the waves surged, and the enemy retreated in fear. Later, they invaded again and showed their power again. Many enemy bandits were captured by the army.

The fifth legend of Mazu's apparition: Holy Spring to save the epidemic

It is said that in the 25th year of Shaoxing in the Song Dynasty (1155), there was a plague in Xinghua area and there was no medicine to cure it. Mazu sent a dream to a villager of White Lake, saying that there was a sweet spring in the ground not far from the sea, and drinking it could cure the epidemic. The next day, the people went to control the excavation and get water to drink, which proved effective. After the news spread, people from far and near came to fetch water in an endless stream, and all the infected people were saved. This well was known as the "Holy Spring".

The sixth legend of Mazu's apparition: Goddess's rescue

It is said that in the early years of Xuanhe in the Northern Song Dynasty, Hong Botong, a native of Putian, was once sailing at sea, and suddenly encountered a hurricane. The sailboat nearly collapsed. He hurriedly called for help from the goddess. Just after the shouting ended, the sea suddenly became calm, and Hong's family survived the disaster.

Mazu Phantom Legend No. 7: Goddess Saves the Ship

It is said that in the fifth year of Xuanhe in the Northern Song Dynasty, the Song Dynasty sent an emissary to send a fleet of ships to Koryo (now Korea), and encountered a big storm in the East Sea. Eight of them sank seven, leaving only the ship the emissary took struggling in the storm. Suddenly a red light flashed on the top of the ship mast, and a goddess in red sat on it. Then the sea was calm, and the ship the emissary took was safe. The messenger was surprised, and a Putian man on the ship told him that it was the goddess of Meizhou who rescued him.

The eighth legend of Mazu's apparition: protecting envoys

According to records, Zheng He made seven voyages to the West, three of which were when the fleet met the sea

The fifteenth part of the legend of Mazu's apparition: God helps repair the embankment

According to records, in 1239, when the Qiantang River burst its dike and the river overflowed to the Palace of Heavenly Concubines in Genshan Mountain, the water flowed backward and the people took advantage of it to build the dike. Everyone said that it was a divine defense; In the fourth year of Baohu (1256), Mazu God helped build the Qiantang River embankment in Zhejiang.

The Sixteenth Legend of Mazu's Manifestation: God Helps Catch the Robber

According to records, during the three years of Qiandao, the invaders invaded and the officers and soldiers were unable to win several rounds and annihilations, and then won with the help of Mazu. In the tenth year of Jiading, the pirates broke the border again, and the officers and soldiers got the help of Mazu again, and won by capturing Kou's head. In the third year of Jingding (1262), the pirates rioted in the sea area between Xing, Quan and Zhang. With the help of Mazu, the officers and soldiers captured the pirates in the sea area around Meizhou in Putian.

The seventeenth of the legend of Mazu's apparition: God helps Song Shi

It is said that in the first year of Jiading (1208), the Jin soldiers gathered in the Huaidian area. The Song court launched the Northern Expedition and prayed to Mazu for God's help. The army of the Song Dynasty won three wars and three victories, and the siege of Hefei was solved.

The Eighteenth Legend of Mazu Spirit: Protecting and Helping Suppress the Rebels

It is said that in the eleventh year of Chunxi (1184), Jiang Teli, the inspector of Fujian Province, was ordered to suppress the pirates in Wenzhou and Taizhou. Before the war, the officers and soldiers begged for the help of Mazu. During the war, God was vaguely seen above the clouds, so he took advantage of the wind to advance and captured the head of the thief, winning a complete victory.

The 19th legend of Mazu's apparition:

Zhuge Changqing: Throughout the ages, Mazu's stories of saving people are numerous and admirable.

5、 Mazu legend: Call Mazu to save your life.

Zhao Yi, a historian of the Qing Dynasty, recorded a very interesting legend of Mazu in southern Fujian and Taiwan. If you call the gods for help in a shipwreck and call them "Mazu", Mazu will immediately stop applying powder to save people. If it is called "Tianfei", Mazu will dress up and come to save people gracefully, so she will arrive late. Therefore, they are all called "Mazu" at sea and dare not call it "Tianfei". I hope Mazu will come to rescue the fishing boat in the sea disaster immediately.

The legend of Mazu in Taiwan is probably that Mazu used her skirt to block the American air-dropped bombs in the Second World War, and there are also legends about Mazu bringing children back to life.

It is said that every time Mazu rescues at sea, he will give each person in distress a bowl of steaming and fragrant Xinghua Shoumian, which will not only warm up after eating, but also turn bad luck into good luck. Over time, Xinghua Shoumian is known as "Mazu Pingmian". It is also famous and has become the first choice of food to protect peace and auspiciousness. Every time relatives and friends visit, birthday celebrations, New Year's Day, family reunion, they will eat "Mazu Pingmian", in order to achieve good luck, Peace and happiness.

Zhuge Changqing: China is a country blessed by Buddha, Bodhisattva and immortals. Mazu is one of the protective gods. Be worshipped and grateful by people.

(Literature reference: This article refers to Mazu Culture and Baidu. The pictures are selected from the network)

妈祖，中华民族保护神。是中华民族的海上“保护神”。

----- 诸葛长青

  中国文化博大精深，名人辈出，星光灿烂。

  中国人要以生在中国、长在中国而自豪。

  正如伟大的佛祖释迦牟尼佛说，出生在中国，是人生的一大幸运。

   诸葛长青认为，中国是一个受佛菩萨、神仙护佑的国家。妈祖就是其中的一位保护神，妈祖的慈悲心和行为受到人们的崇拜和感恩。

   翻阅历史，透视古今，人们会发现，沿海地区、包括东南沿海各个国家，都在默默崇拜一位海上保护神---妈祖。

  妈祖是人们出海的保护神，一位慈悲为怀的女神。尤其是南方、东南亚沿海的国家。人们不仅乘船出海要拜妈祖，而且重大节日祭拜妈祖。台湾每年更是举行纪念妈祖环岛大游行。每年的农历三月廿三是妈祖诞辰日和九月初九妈祖升天日。

　　那么，妈祖是谁呢？

  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，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。

　　 一、妈祖生平简介

   诸葛长青：妈祖自幼智慧超群，法力广大，行善积德，受到人们的感恩崇拜。有时候被人们看做是观音菩萨的化身。

   妈祖是福建莆田望族九牧林氏后裔，是南唐清源军莆田县湄洲人(今福建省莆田市秀屿区湄洲岛)县人，妈祖祖父林孚，官居福建总管。父林愿（惟殷），宋初官任都巡检。在她出生之前，父母已生过五个女儿和一个儿子，盼望再生一个儿子，因而朝夕焚香祝天，祈求早赐麟儿。

   就在这个女婴将要出生前的那个傍晚，邻里乡亲看见流星化为一道红光从西北天空射来，晶莹夺目，照耀得岛屿上的岩石都发红了。

   所以，父母感到这个女婴必非等闲之女，也就特别疼爱。因为她出生至弥月间都不啼哭，便给她取名林默，父母又称她为林默娘，默娘。

   林默幼年时就比其他姐妹聪明颖悟，八岁从塾师启蒙读书，不但能过目成诵，而且能理解文字的义旨。长大后，她决心终生以行善济人为事，矢志不嫁，父母顺从她的意愿。

   她专心致志地做慈善公益的事业，平素精研医理，为人治病，教人防疫消灾，人们都感颂她。她性情和顺，热心助人。只要能为乡亲排难解纷，她都乐意去做，还经常引导人们避凶趋吉。人们遇到困难，也都愿意跟她商量，请她帮助。

　　生长在大海之滨的林默，还洞晓天文气象，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”。她还会预测天气变化，事前告知船户可否出航，所以又传说她能“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与世长辞之日。这一天，湄洲岛上群众纷纷传说，他们看见湄峰山上有朵彩云冉冉升起。从此以后，航海的人又传说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；她立志不嫁慈悲为怀，专以行善济世为已任。福建莆田的湄洲岛是海上和平女神妈祖的故乡，妈祖文化的发祥地。有着千年历史的湄洲妈祖庙是世界上20多个国家和地区4000多座妈祖宫庙的“祖庙”。一年四季，前来妈祖祖庙进香朝觐的国内外香客人数达百万之众。每年的农历三月廿三妈祖诞辰日和九月初九妈祖升天日，岛上民众要举行各种祭典妈祖的活动，同时海内外的妈祖信徒纷纷前来进香朝拜，整个湄洲岛人山人海、盛况空前，被誉为“东方麦加”。

　　二、妈祖升天成神，成为中华民族的海上保护神

  诸葛长青：妈祖是一位行善积德的天神。她是肉体成圣。从凡人修炼成神仙。受到天庭敕封。

   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。

   因默娘生前与民为善，升化后被沿海人民尊为海上女神，立庙祭祀。

  后屡显灵应于海上，渡海者皆祷之，被尊为“通灵神女”，庙宇遍海甸。

  妈祖信仰从产生至今，经历了1000多年，作为民间信仰，它延续之久，传播之广，影响之深，都是其他民间崇拜所不曾有过的。

  历代皇帝的崇拜和褒封，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。因而民间对妈祖的信仰愈加固定，“海神”的地位愈加牢固。

　　千年来，在莆田民间保留了不少有关妈祖的民俗，反映了妈祖信仰的具体特点。其信奉礼俗及妈祖的言行、品性等逐渐被民间吸收，形成许多俗例。　　妈祖，作为民间神祈，护航海神，自宋经元、明、清等几代传播迄今已历千年以上。奉祀妈祖的宫庙，在中国沿海各省、市，例如潮州、莆田、汕头、泉州、漳州、雷州、湛江、海南等以及内地除青海、新疆、西藏等3省、区以外的其他省份，都有妈祖庙。《妈祖宫集成》乃汇集全国30个省、市（包括港澳地区）500多县、市有关节妈祖宫庙的记载而成。随着元明清之间航泫交通的日益发达，也随着华人足迹遍及全球，其中包括日本、东南亚、加拿大、美国乃至法国巴黎、丹麦、南美的巴西等。

   三、历代朝廷对妈祖的赐封

  诸葛长青：历代朝廷帝王，都对妈祖予以敕封，体现对妈祖的感恩。

   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”，并列入国家祀典。

   妈祖逝世时乡人感其生前治病救人的恩惠，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。

   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。

   诸葛长青：中国明朝航海家郑和亲自主持建庙，体现了皇家的重视。研究中发现，郑和出海，得到妈祖保佑。郑和本身就精通儒家、道家等各类知识，对妈祖十分崇拜。

   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。

   近年来，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”。

   如今台湾及东南亚各地的众多妈祖庙都由莆田湄州妈祖祖庙分灵出去的。湄洲祖庙是湄洲妈祖庙的俗称、尊称，是全世界妈祖信众心中的圣地。

   湄洲妈祖祖庙位于台湾海峡西中部湄洲，隶属福建省莆田市。距莆田市区东南方40多公里处，从文甲码头乘轮渡20分钟便可到达；东距乌丘岛（乌丘原本隶属于福建莆田县，现为台湾省金门县代为管辖）二十海里。

   湄洲祖庙是全世界二千多座妈祖庙（宫）的祖庙。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。

   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，漳浦的乌石天后宫为中国天后宫有名的大庙。诸葛长青：现在全世界华人的地方，都有妈祖神庙。伟大的妈祖默默保护着中华儿女。

　  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，只加上‘嘉佑’二字。” 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。

　　台湾较早的妈祖庙，其大多数是由湄洲祖庙分灵至台。自清嘉庆到清光绪年（1796～1908）间，台湾海上贸易兴旺，经济发达，涌现出许许多多规模更大诸如台南大天后宫，近年竹南天后宫又建起露天妈祖祖象。截至目前，台湾共有大型妈祖庙510座。在妈祖庙中有镇殿妈、二妈、副二妈、副三妈、四妈，又有三郊妈、斑鸠妈，还有温陵妈、银同妈、湄洲妈。除镇殿妈外，其他妈祖像可供每年轮流诞辰出巡之用。特别是早期的妈祖庙，在例定诞辰日有“遥拜”仪式，即在行“三跪九叩”礼节时，一律面向莆田湄洲祖庙施行。这一俗例充分说明台湾同胞永远怀念大陆的深远意义。

   四、妈祖显灵传说故事

   妈祖显灵传说

   妈祖显灵传说之一：甘泉济师

　　据记载康熙二十一年十月，清军水师提督施琅奉旨率三万水兵驻扎平海，等待乘风东渡台湾。当时正遇到干旱，军中缺水。平海天后宫旁有一被填废井，施琅命令挖掘，并暗向妈祖祈祷，井挖好后泉水甘口，解了老百姓、兵士用水之难，泉水从此不竭。施琅以为这是神赐甘泉济师，亲书“师泉”二字，此井至今仍存。

　　妈祖显灵传说之二：佑助收艇

　　传说康熙二十一年十二月二十六日夜，施琅第一次率兵渡海攻打台澎，因缺风船行很慢，施琅下令回航平海。不久，忽起大风，战舰上小艇被风刮下海，不知去向。第二天风停息后，命令出海寻找小艇，均安然停在湄洲湾中，艇上人报告说：昨夜波浪中见船头有灯光，似人揽艇，是天妃默佑之功。施琅大为感动，命令整修平海天后宫，重塑妈祖神像，捐重金建梳妆楼、朝天阁，并请回妈祖神像一尊奉祀在船上。

  诸葛长青：清朝大将施琅，堪称是海军第一战将，他亲自整修妈祖庙，体现了他的感恩之心。

　　妈祖显灵传说之三：澎湖助战

  传说康熙二十二年六月，施琅第二次率兵东渡攻打澎湖，军中士兵感到神妃在左右助战，个个英勇向前，千总刘春梦天妃告之二十一日必克澎湖，七月必克台湾。后来清兵强攻澎湖七昼夜，并台湾统一。当时清兵出战攻澎之日，妈祖派千里眼、顺风耳二神将助战，即妈祖“澎湖助战”的神话故事。

　　妈祖显灵传说之四：托梦建庙

　　传说宋绍兴二十七年秋（1157年），莆田城东五里处的白湖这个地方，有章氏、邵氏二族人共梦神指地立庙，随后验其地果然是吉地，于是建庙，第二年庙建成。宋绍兴三十年，海寇侵扰，百姓到庙里祈祷，忽然狂风大作，海浪滔天，敌畏惧而退。后来又来侵犯，再次显灵威，很多敌寇被官军擒获。

　　妈祖显灵传说之五：圣泉救疫

　　传说宋绍兴二十五年（1155年），兴化一带发生瘟疫，无药可治，妈祖托梦给白湖一村民，说离海边不远的地下有甘泉，喝了可以疗愈疫病。第二天群众前去控掘并取水饮用，果然灵验。消息传开后，远近人都来取水，络绎不绝，染疫的人全都得救了，这口井被誉为“圣泉”。

　　妈祖显灵传说之六：神女搭救

　　传说北宋宣和初年，莆田人洪伯通有一次航行在海上，突然遇到飓风，帆船差一点覆没，急忙呼神女搭救，喊声刚刚结束，大海突然风平浪静起来，洪氏躲过了灭顶之灾。

　　妈祖显灵传说之七：神女救船

　　传说北宋宣和五年，宋朝派使者率船队出使高丽（今朝鲜），在东海上遇到大风浪，其中八条船沉了七条，只剩下使者所乘的船还在风浪中挣扎，忽然船桅顶上闪现一道红光，一朱衣女神端坐在上面，随即风平浪静，使者所乘的船转危为安。使者惊奇，船上一位莆田人告说是湄洲神女搭救。

　　妈祖显灵传说之八：保护使节

　　据记载，郑和七次下西洋中，3次是船队遇到海寇掠夺和受到锡兰山国王亚烈苦奈儿陷害；1次是船队为苏门答刺国生擒；3次是船队在海上遇到飓风和险情。每次都说得到妈祖神灵庇护而脱险。

　　妈祖显灵传说之九：天妃神助

　　据记载，永乐七年，钦差尹璋出使，同年钦差陈庆等往西洋；永乐十三年，钦差内官送甘泉于榜葛剌国，同年太监王贵等又奉命往西洋；洪熙元年（1425年）乙未，钦差内官柴山往琉球；嘉靖十一年（1532年），钦差给事中陈侃等人往琉球册封；嘉靖三十七年，复遣郭汝霖等出使；均得天妃神助而安全往返。

　　妈祖显灵传说之十：庇佑漕运

　　据记载，道光六年（1826年），江南有一只千余艘的漕运船队，一日船队抵达黑洋，遭到风暴，得到妈祖神灵护助，整个船队二、三万人安然无恙。

　　妈祖显灵传说之十一：官员脱险

　　据记载，康熙四十二年（1703年），御史孟劭前往台湾巡视，在海上遇到飓风，得妈祖神佑而脱险；乾隆二十五年（1760年），漳州镇总兵奉命南巡时，河流横急，遇到险情，得妈祖显应而平安无事。

　　妈祖显灵传说之十二：庇佑致胜

　　参考有关资料：

  1）康熙十九年（1680年），水师提督万正色驻守崇武，夜梦神妃佐风，于是进兵，迫郑军舍厦门入台湾；

  2）乾隆五十二年（1787年），钦差大臣福康安等赴台，返回至大担时迷失航向，得神火引导而顺返；

  3）乾隆五十二年，张均等率水兵剿海贼，遇风得神助，脱险并擒贼五十余名；4）嘉庆十一年（1806年），官军在鹿耳门赖妈祖佑助，击败蔡牵；

  5）道光二十一年（1841年），侵华英军驻进上海潮州会馆，裸卧天后神前，夜里梦见受到棍击，个个惊喊救命。

　　妈祖显灵传说之十三：使节脱险

　　据有关资料，康熙二年（1663年），张学礼等往琉球国，归舶过姑米山遇风暴；康熙二十二年（1683年），册使汪辑等出使，归舟遇飓风；康熙五十八年（1719年），册使海宝等奉命赴琉球册封存，归舟遇旋风；乾隆二十年（1755年），册使全魁于姑米山遇台风；道光十九年（1839年），册使林鸿年等赴琉球途中两次遇风暴。均得妈祖显灵庇佑而脱险。

　　妈祖显灵传说之十四：旱情解难

　　据记载：1192年夏，闽地干旱严重，瘟疫蔓延，群众向妈祖祈求保佑，祷天即下雨；嘉定十年（1217年），兴化大旱，百姓祈求于妈祖，神示梦下雨之时，果然灵验；宝祜元年（1253年），莆、泉大旱，两地共祷于神，旱情即除。

　　妈祖显灵传说之十五：神助修堤

　　据记载，1239年，钱塘江决堤，江水漫到艮山天妃宫时，水势倒流不前，百姓借势筑堤，大家都说是神力捍御；宝祜四年（1256年），又得妈祖神助建筑浙江钱塘江堤。

　　妈祖显灵传说之十六：神助擒寇

　　据记载，乾道三年，海寇侵扰，官兵数次围歼都无法得手，后凭妈祖神助获胜。嘉定十年，海寇再次犯境，官兵又得妈祖神助，擒蔻首而胜。景定三年（1262年），海寇作乱于兴、泉、漳之间海域，官兵得到妈祖神助，在莆田湄洲一带海域擒获海寇。

　　妈祖显灵传说之十七：神助宋师

　　传说嘉定元年（1208年），金兵聚集在淮甸一带，宋廷兴师北伐，向妈祖祈祷神助，宋朝军队三战三捷，解了合肥之围。

　　妈祖显灵传说之十八：护助剿寇

　　传说淳熙十一年（1184年），福建都巡检姜特立奉命征剿温州、台州一带海寇，临战前官兵乞妈祖神灵护助。战时隐约看见神在云端之上，于是乘风进兵，擒获贼首，大获全胜。

   妈祖显灵传说之十九：.....

  诸葛长青：古往今来，妈祖的救人故事数不胜数，令人敬仰......。

　　五、妈祖小传说：喊妈祖救命，有求必应。

　　清朝历史学家赵翼记下了一个很有趣的闽南、台湾的妈祖传说。若遇海难向神明呼救时，称“妈祖”，妈祖就会立刻不施脂粉来救人。若称“天妃” 则妈祖就盛装打扮，雍容华贵地来救人，所以会很晚才到。故海上都称“妈祖”，不敢称“天妃”，希望妈祖立刻来救海难中的渔船。

　　而台湾的妈祖传说，大概都是妈祖用裙摆挡下第二次世界大战的美军空投炸弹，也有妈祖让孩童起死回生等传说。

　　传说妈祖每次在海上救难后，都要给每位遇险者一碗热气腾腾，芳香扑鼻的兴化寿面，吃后不但会驱寒暖身，而且能逢凶化吉.久而久之，兴化寿面即被称为"妈祖平安面".且闻名遐迩，成为保佑平安吉祥的首选食品.每逢亲友来访，寿诞喜庆，逢年遇节，家人团聚，都要吃"妈祖平安面",以求吉祥如意，平安幸福。

    诸葛长青：中国是一个受佛菩萨、神仙护佑的国家。妈祖就是其中的一位保护神。受到人们的崇拜和感恩。

  （文献参考：本文参考妈祖文化资料、百度资料。图片选自网络）

 (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

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往期精选文章

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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