Tian hou

In most parts of China, religions were not organized; rather people build their own temples and installed their own deities. Some thought that it seemed like religious anarchy, but rather it is a closely united system. By the mid-Qing dynasty, local elites, literate men with interests in land and commerce, had basically standardized the country regarding religious ideals. This did not, however, completely eradicate all local gods.

Tian Hou (Ma Zu - Taiwan) The goddess of the sea, basically (known for protecting fishermen, sailors, and maritime people). Tian Hou meant different things to different people. Sailors regarded her as luck in the seas and protection from storms, land elite viewed her as stability and control, and to the Qing authorities she represented civilizing effects.

The myth of her origin First recognized as a goddess by the people of Mei-Chou, Tian Hou is the representation of an actual person, a woman with the surname (Lin) who was born in Mei-Chou. People thought of her having supernatural powers after she had dreams of saving her brothers at sea, when in fact, they had been aided on their way home from a fishing voyage by a female spirit. It is believed that she ended her life herself via suicide by fasting. This practice was common among women who were older and still unmarried. It was a symbol of her remaining pure and virtuous. She is known for being totally fair and compassionate. It is said that she saves all seafarers, from the poorest peasant to the richest of the emperor's officials.

Other notable information Tracing Tian Hou to a specific religion is very difficult, however it is shown that she relates closest with the Buddhist religion. They say she's a transformation of earlier deities. Most of the information on her was written in classic Buddhist style. Another theory of her emergence ties her to the aboriginal roots where an ancient deity associated with river transport was known as Lin-Shuifu-jin, or "near water lady". This originated from the same place in southern China that Tian Hou is also said to be from.

Tian Hou's advancement She was not always known as Tian Hou, but first as a Divine Lady, and then progressing through levels of concubines, and eventually she was regarded as a Heavenly Mother and finally Tian hou. These progressively important titles were the effect of the emperor's desire to gain the hearts and loyalties of the south Chinese citizens.

When the Qing authorities took control of Eastern Taiwan, the first project was to put temples in Taiwan dedicated to Tian Hou, Kuan Ti (the god of war), and Kuan Yin (the god of mercy) throughout the country. This was done in an effort to unify the people. The Taiwanese people, however, did not like the state-imposed temples so they built their own and continued to worship there.

She was known to the Taiwanese people as a symbol of their freedom and independence, yet to the Qing authorities, she represented their power, dominion and control. That is why she is known as Ma Zu, or mother of our ancestors, to Taiwanese culture and Tian Hou to Chinese culture.

She was crucial in Zheng He's advancement in his maritime adventures because he claimed to be led by her and a temple build in her honor was made is constant rally point. Many temples still stand today in Southern China and Taiwan in which Tian Hou (or Ma Zu) is still worshiped and respected.