Matriarch of Sea - Ma Zu, birthday : 23rd of the 3rd lunar
month
Origin of the Matriarch of Sea
As the sea protector worshiped by people in the southeastern
coastal area as well as by overseas Chinese, the Ma Zu was also
known as Heavenly Consort(Tian Fei), Queen of Heaven(Tian Hou) ,
Lady Heavenly Consort(Tian Fei Niang Niang) and Goddess of
Heaven(Tian Shang Sheng Mu), etc.
According to the Supreme Lord Tai Shang Lao Jun' Book of the
Miracles of the Heavenly Consort Who Saves from Disasters, the
Supreme Lord Tai Shang Lao Jun conferred on the Matriarch of the
Sea the title of -
'Heavenly Consort of Universal
Salvation, Demonstrator of Benevolence in Brilliant Communion,
Sublime and Numinous Protector of People, Guardian of the Kingdom,
Trustworthy Saviour in Numinous Communion, Pure and Orthodox
Promoter of Filial Piety, and Assistant of the Big
Dipper'.
The records about the Matriarch of the Sea started to appear in the
Northern Song dynasty. It is said that the she was born in the
first Jiannong year of the first Song emperor (AD 960) and was the
daughter of Lin Yuan, who was a high-ranking military official. The
Motherly Matriarch's personal name was Moliang. She died in the
fourth Yongxi year of the Song emperor Tai (AD 984) at the age of
28. It is said that when she was born, the room was filled with red
light and strange smoke. She was born one month old and didn't cry
even once. So she was called Moniang, which means 'Silent Girl' (Mo
Niang). She started to attend a village school at the age of eight
and showed a special interest in burning incense and worshiping the
Divines. She was taught Taoist books and secret skills at the age
of thirteen, and granted a mysterious talisman at sixteen.
Since then, she was able to stretch a straw mat to sea, saving
people in danger. After her ascension, she always responded quickly
to prayers. Since the Xuanhe year, between the Northern and
Southern Song dynasties, she was granted various titles nine times,
which continually increased her importance and prestige. Her
original title 'Madam' was replaced by 'Higher Consort' in the
Shaoxi year of Southern Song dynasty emperor Guang (AD 1190). Then
her title was changed to 'Heavenly Consort' during the first Yuan
emperor's reign, then, further, to 'Queen of Heaven' during reign
of the Qing emperor Kangxi. During reign of the Qing emperor
Jiaqing, the titles conferred on the Ma Zu added up to 28 Chinese
characters.
Salvation for People:
Most stories about the Ma Zu were related to her salvation of
people stranded in the sea. It is said that she could save people
from far away with the help of two aids: Penetrating Eyes and
Penetrating Ears. (Qian Li Yan and Shun Feng Er)
Usually dressed in red, the Ma Zu traveled among the islands on
clouds. When ships sailing on the sea were hit by storms and people
on board recited the Ma Zus sacred titles, she would emerge to
help.
According to the Supreme Lord Tai Shang Lao Jun Book of the
Miracles of the Heavenly Consort Who Saves from Disasters, the
Matriarch of the Sea's obligations included saving wrecks, people
in danger, and innocent souls seeking for release.
In later periods, her obligation was enlarged. In the Taoist book
mentioned above, she claimed to save businessmen, farmers,
craftsmen, soldiers, women suffering from difficult labor, and
patients if they call her name piously and let her know their
wishes. So in folk culture, she was also called 'Auntie Who
Delivers Babies'. (Song Zi Niang Niang)
