How did Lin Mo Niang become a sea goddess?

Lin Mo Niang’s process of becoming an immortal is full of legends, mainly based on folk tales and beliefs.

Lin Mo Niang, also known as Mazu, was originally named Lin Mo Niang. She was born in the first year of Jianlong in the Northern Song Dynasty (960 AD) and was the daughter of an official family in Meizhou Island, Putian, Fujian. She was extremely intelligent and kind-hearted since childhood. She not only knew astronomy and medicine, but also knew how to swim. She could predict weather changes and rescue people in distress at sea. When she was 28 years old, Lin Mo Niang unfortunately died in a sea rescue. It was said that after she was swept away by the waves, people believed that she was taken away by the Dragon King and became an immortal.

In the legend of becoming an immortal, Lin Mo Niang was endowed with many miracles. For example, she once rode clouds across the sea to save people from shipwrecks, cured people’s illnesses and eliminated disasters, and even appeared in the battle between the Song army and the Jin general Pu Sankui, leading the Song army to a great victory. Her selfless dedication and heroic deeds have been widely praised by people. Many Mazu temples have been built in coastal areas to commemorate and worship her, hoping that she can continue to protect the sailing ships and return safely.

Mazu culture has a far-reaching influence in China’s coastal areas and has become one of the outstanding cultural heritages of the Chinese nation. Her selfless dedication and noble character embody the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation, and the Mazu spirit also inspires future generations.