Mazu

媽祖

Motherly goddess of the sea, guardian of sailors and fishing families

Mazu (媽祖) is the goddess of the sea in Taiwanese and Fujian Taoism. According to tradition, she was born in the Song dynasty on Meizhou Island in Fujian Province, and she has watched over sailors and fishing families ever since.

Devotees turn to her for protection on the water, for fair weather and for safe passage home. In Taiwan she is loved like a mother. Every spring, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims walk for days to carry her through the countryside.

Shop Mazu See the gallery

How to recognise Mazu

Flat-topped crownLook for the imperial crown (旒冠) with a flat top and hanging jade beads, which marks her royal standing; it is never pointed.
Red imperial robesShe wears red robes of imperial rank, and in some images black robes, which are used for more powerful manifestations.
Red, gold and blackHer palette is red, gold and black; white is avoided because it is associated with mourning.
Ceremonial tabletShe holds a ceremonial tablet (圭) in both hands at chest height, a sign of dignified authority.
Two guardian companionsThousand-Mile Eyes (千里眼), with a green face and red eyes, and Wind-Following Ears (順風耳), with a red face and large ears, stand on either side of her.
Golden haloA golden circular halo frames her head as a sign of her divinity.
Serene, regal postureShe is always calm and composed, never celebrating or reaching out with open arms, which conveys steady, watchful protection.

Names and titles

Goddess of the SeaHer role as protector of sailors and fishermen
Holy Heavenly MotherTianshang Shengmu, the title most used for her in Taiwan
Guiding the Boats HomeShe stood on the shore in red to guide fishing boats home through storms
The Silent Girl of MeizhouHer name Moniang, 'Silent Girl', because she did not cry at birth