Taiwan: The Tianhou (Empress of Heaven) Temple, Chichin Island, Kaohsiung. The temple is dedicated to Matsu (Mazu) the protector of sailors and fishermen

The Matsu Temple on Chichin Island near Kaohsiung is dedicated to Matsu, goddess of the sea. Mazu (WadeÐGiles: Matsu, Vietnamese: Ma To) is the indigenous goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors, and is invoked as the patron saint of all Southern Chinese and East Asian persons. Born as Lin Moniang in Fujian around 960 CE, worship of Mazu began around the Ming Dynasty, when many temples dedicated to her were erected all across Mainland China, later spreading to other countries with Overseas Chinese populations. Mazu is widely worshipped in the south-eastern coastal areas of China and neighbouring areas in Southeast Asia, especially Zhejiang, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, and Vietnam, all of which have strong sea-faring traditions, as well as migrant communities elsewhere with sizeable populations from these areas. (Photo by: Pictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)