Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple
湄洲妈祖祖庙 · Meizhou Island, Putian, Fujian, China
The ancestral temple of the Mazu faith, which grew from a small 10th-century shrine; the island also has a complex of Mazu cultural buildings and long beaches.
Know before you go
- Do not make noise or horse around in the halls
- do not light open flames on your own
- do not disturb the rituals
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
Lin Moniang, rescuer at sea
It is said that Mazu, Lin Moniang, was at home in the water during her life and rescued people in danger at sea many times, and that after her death fishermen venerated her as a sea goddess. The tales of Mazu's miracles told on the island are mostly passed on by word of mouth among devotees and can be enjoyed as folklore.
Source: Wikipedia: Meizhou Island
History
From small shrine to ancestral temple
The Mazu Ancestral Temple began as a small shrine built soon after Mazu's death in the 10th century, and only reached its present scale through repeated renovation and enlargement. Mazu belief spread along the coast with seafaring and migration, and pilgrims from Taiwan still come every year to visit Mazu's home island.
Source: Wikipedia: Meizhou Island
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Meizhou Mazu Ancestral Temple (the Heavenly Empress Palace–Meizhou Ancestral Temple) stands on Meizhou Island in Meizhou Town, Xiuyu District, Putian, Fujian Province, at the northern mouth of Meizhou Bay. The temple began as a small shrine built soon after Mazu's death in the 10th century, and has since been repeatedly renovated and enlarged to accommodate pilgrims. Today the island has a complex of Mazu cultural buildings, including the temple's mountain gate, sleeping hall and a stone statue of Mazu, and about 20 kilometres of beaches around its shores. In the faith, Mazu was originally named Lin Moniang and is said to have been a woman from a fishing village on Meizhou Island who was later venerated as a sea goddess; Mazu belief is the folk faith of coastal fishing communities who pray for safety at sea. Meizhou Island became a provincial tourism economic zone in 1988 and a national tourist resort in 1992, and opened formally to overseas visitors in 1999. Every year devotees from many places, including many pilgrims from Taiwan, come to offer incense at the temple, and the Mazu ceremony is the island's most important folk event.
Local customs
- Climb up to the ancestral temple to pay respects to Mazu and observe the rites of the Mazu ceremony
- follow the ring road around the island to see beaches and fishing harbours
- taste Meizhou Island seafood, Mazu ping'an (peace) noodles and other local flavours
- visit the Mazu Cultural Park to learn how Mazu belief spread.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Do not make noise or horse around in the halls
- do not light open flames on your own
- do not disturb the rituals
Locals appreciate DO
- Dress neatly when entering the halls to worship
- walk quietly and slowly
- offer incense and gifts as the temple directs
- ask permission before photographing ceremonies and devotees
- mind the tides and safety warnings by the sea
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Reaching the island requires a ferry
- schedules and fares follow the official notices. Getting around the island is mainly by bus and electric cart
- crowds are large during ceremonies, so plan ahead
- the island is windy, so bring a windproof jacket.
- First travel to Putian city, then take the ferry from Wenjia Wharf to the island
- on the island, take a bus or hire an electric cart to tour around. You can visit all year: spring and autumn, with their mild climate, are best
- in summer watch for typhoon-season weather and ferry suspension notices
- in winter the sea wind is strong, so keep warm.
Sources & verification notes
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