Introduction of Tianhou Niangniang

The goddess of heaven, Mazu, is the most important Han folk belief circulating in the coastal areas of China. It is the same god as sailors, passengers, businessmen and fishermen of all ages. Before the Han people sail to sea, they should worship Mazu first, pray for a safe wind, and set Mazu as a shrine on the ship. According to legend, she is the daughter of Lin family in Putian, Fujian, and was born in the first year (960). Legend has it that she grew up a vegetarian and served the gods. After she ascended to heaven, she often saved people at sea and protected the safety of people's ships, so she was named "Queen of Heaven" and "Virgin" by the emperor. As early as the Song and Yuan Dynasties, "Tianhou Niangniang" settled in Hainan with Fujian businessmen. According to historical records, "The former Tianhou Palace in Hainan Island was built in Baishajin and Haikou in Yuan Dynasty" (History of Hainan Island by Xiao Ye and Tian Chun). There are 12 Tianhou Palace clearly recorded in the Records of Qiongzhou, which are almost all over the coastal towns of Hainan.