Legend has it that Mazu was a woman named Lin Mo, who was born in the Song Dynasty in Meizhou Island in Fujian Province's Putian Township. Early historical data stated that she was skilled in witchcraft. After her death, she ascended to heaven and repeatedly performed miracles to save those in perilous sea voyages. Her reputation grew with commendations from government officials and the spread of folklore, and Mazu worshiping that originated with the Putian people gradually transformed into an important religious deity in the southeastern coast of China, and spread across the globe along with Chinese immigrants.

 

Mazu worship in Taiwan may be traced back to the middle of the Ming Dynasty.Immigrants, fishermen, or businessmen from Fujian and Guangdong traveling toTaiwan often brought with them incense ash, or even set up a deity statue on the boat.In addition to praying for a safe voyage, the faithful may also seek blessings in business prosperity and success in land development on the island. Immigrants to Taiwan would also bring incense ash or a statue for worship on the new land, thus introducing Mazu worship to Taiwan. As of now, Mazu has become an important folk belief in Taiwan,with temples all throughout the island.

Long after the introduction of Mazu worship in Taiwan, the belief system gradually became localized. For example, Mazu across Taiwan has taken on local identities, and became known as “Tainan Ma”, “Beigang Ma”, “Guandu Ma”, “Dajia Ma”, and more, reflecting the local collective consciousness and emotional attachment. Originally revered as a guardian deity of fishing boats and fishermen, Mazu has transformed to meet the social needs of the agricultural society and Taiwan’s disaster-prone natural environment, evolving to take on the characteristics of a deity of water and agriculture.

Stories of Mazu’s miracle deeds abound in various time periods. For example, Shi Lang of the Qing Dynasty reportedly benefited from Mazu’s help in his conquest of Taiwan.During WWII, when the U.S. military bombed Taiwan, there were reports of various local Mazu deities catching the bombs by hand. There are also various stories about Mazu coming to the rescue during earthquakes. The name that people use to refer to Mazu has also changed over time, transforming from the early girly imagery of “Niuma”,“Tienfei” to the womanly image of "Heavenly Mother". The faithful has also given the deity nicknames, such as Mazu grandma, great aunt, mother, etc., and the deity has basically become an almighty patron saint that serves to stabilize the minds of Taiwan’s believers, who often feel a strong sense of warmth and admiration for the deity.

After the process of localization, Mazu worship has flourished into diverse and rich folk customs, with subdivisions of the deity spirit all across temples in Taiwan. Grand temple fairs and pilgrimages are held from the Shangyuan Festival on January 15th through Mazu’s birthday on March 23rd according to the lunar calendar, commonly known as “March Mazu Madness”. Many of such events have been registered as folk cultural assets, driving the development and heritage continuance of folk customs and parade performance activities, and even transforming into important elements of artistic creations, cultural education, and popular culture, that continue to enhance the collective identity of people in Taiwan.