People from both sides of the Taiwan Strait pay homage to their ancestors and jointly revere the sea god.
April 5
China Media GroupCGTN
roll out4 minutes and 38 secondsSpecial report
Focusing on Taiwan compatriots crossing the strait to travel
Putian, Fujian
Helin Clan Ancestral Hall
Tracing the origins and worshipping the deeds of ancestors
Let's take a look.
Original report:
People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share a common ancestry and culture.
During the Qingming Festival, a traditional time to honor ancestors, many Taiwan residents have returned to the mainland.
Our reporter Guo Tianqi spoke with some of them on Meizhou Island in Fujian Province to explore the shared ancestral beliefs and traditions across the strait.
"Treating the deceased as if they were still alive"is a cherished Chinese tradition. During Qingming Festival, offerings of tea and fruits, burning incense, upholding family glory and ancestral precepts are shared customs that bridge the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.
The Lin clan is a prominent major clan in both Fujian and Taiwan.
LIN RUIQUAN Taiwan Resident"Nearly 80 percent of people in our village share the Lin surname – we are all descendants of Mazu. It's a great honor to join the ancestor worship and tree-planting activities. I hope clan members from both sides of the strait can interact more frequently."
LIN MENGRONG Taiwan Resident"I said to our ancestors: Your descendants have come to see you. I'm home. I'm so exciting.
My family's roots began in Fujian, and our ancestors migrated to Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty. This ancestral shrine enshrines the founding ancestor of our clan."
The two sides of the strait share not only kinship but also faith. At just 14 square kilometers, Meizhou Island is known as the"Mecca of the East."
GUO TIANQI Meizhou Island, Fujian Province"Over a thousand years ago, a distinguished woman Lin Mo or Mazu, was born on Meizhou Island. She is honored as the Goddess of the Sea by more than 300 million devotees across the globe, and also the great aunt of the Lin Family."
In 987 AD, the world's first Mazu temple was built on this island. All Mazu statues are believed to share the same spiritual power as this original statue, yet they must return to the ancestral temple regularly to maintain their divine energy. The third month of the Chinese calendar marks Mazu's birthday, when Mazu statues from around the world return home in unison.
Pilgrims dress as ancient heroes to clear the way for the statue, with a host of traditional rituals performed.
Historical records show Mazu sacrificed her life at the age of 28. How did she evolve from a mortal woman into a goddess?
GUO TIANQI Meizhou Island, Fujian Province"During her mortal life, she possessed great physical strength and was an exceptional swimmer. So she is believed to rescue many people when their ship goes down."
This folk goddess was a renowned healer, skilled at observing celestial phenomena and predicting storms at sea. She never married, dedicating her life to helping others, and has been deeply revered and remembered by the people ever since.
LIN MENGRONG Taiwan Resident"This Mazu stone statue is made of 365 granite blocks, symbolizing blessings for every day in a year. At Beigang Chaotian Temple in Taiwan, stands an identical statue carved from the same rock. The two 'sister statues' face each other across the water."
Two-thirds of Taiwan's population believe in Mazu, making Meizhou Island their spiritual hometown.
LIAO PEIYUN Taiwan Pilgrim"This is our hand-made peace amulet, placed in a small blessed pouch. We hope to share blessings with everyone here and back home."
XU ZENAN Taiwan Pilgrim"Mazu is like a family member, protecting us at home and accompanying me for over 50 years. This is my first visit to the Mazu Ancestral Temple on the Chinese mainland. I pray for safety and good health for my whole family."
Shared family values and the common wish for peace bring people across the strait together during this ancestral remembrance season, praying for calm seas and a prosperous, peaceful nation.
GUO TIANQI, CGTN, Meizhou Island, Fujian Province.
Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share the same roots and cultural heritage.
Qingming is a traditional festival to remember ancestors, and many Taiwanese compatriots make a special trip back to the mainland to trace their roots.
Our reporter Guo Tianqi spoke with several Taiwanese compatriots in Fujian (Meizhou Island) to explore the shared beliefs and traditions across the Taiwan Strait.
"Treat the dead as if they were alive"is a cherished tradition of the Chinese nation. During the Qingming Festival, the customs of offering tea and fruit, burning incense and paying respects, and passing on ancestral virtues and family precepts connect both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
The surname Lin is a well-known surname in both Fuzhou and Taiwan.
Lin Ruiquan, a compatriot from Taiwan:
Nearly 80% of the people in our village are surnamed Lin, and they are all descendants of Mazu. I feel deeply honored to participate in this ancestral worship and tree planting activity. I hope that relatives on both sides of the Taiwan Strait can have more exchanges and interactions.
Lin Mengrong, a compatriot from Taiwan:
I said to my ancestors,"Your descendants have returned to see you. I've come back."I was incredibly moved. Our family roots are in Fujian, but our ancestors migrated to Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty. This ancestral hall enshrines our founding ancestor, the Lin clan. Between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, we are not only connected by blood but also share a common faith. Meizhou Island, covering an area of approximately 14 square kilometers, is hailed as the"Mecca of the East."
rememberTheGuo Tianqi:
More than a thousand years ago, an outstanding woman surnamed Lin—Lin Mo, also known as Mazu,outBorn in Meizhou Island. She was recognized globally.3She is revered by the masses as the"Goddess of the Sea"and is also the ancestral aunt of the Lin clan.
A.D.987In 1900, the world's first Mazu statue—the Mazu Statue—was built here. All Mazu statues are believed to share spiritual power with the original Mazu, but must periodically return to the original Mazu to maintain its abundance. The third month of the lunar calendar is the Mazu month, when Mazu statues around the world will be opened to worship. Believers dress up as ancient heroes to open the gates for the Mazu statues.roadAnd hold a series of traditional ceremonies.
Historical records state that Mazu sacrificed herself to save people at the age of 28. How did she transform from an ordinary mortal woman into a sea goddess?
Reporter Guo Tianqi:
When Mazu was alive, she was agile and had exceptional swimming skills, so people believed that she had saved many people in distress at sea.
This folk goddess was also skilled in medicine and astronomy, able to accurately predict sea storms. She never married and dedicated her life to helping others, thus earning the deep respect and remembrance of the people.
Lin Mengrong, a compatriot from Taiwan:
This Mazu stone statue is composed of 365 pieces of granite, representing the 365 days of the year and wishing for peace every day. In Beigang Chaotian Temple in Taiwan, there is a Mazu stone statue carved from the same piece of stone. The two 'sister statues' face each other across the sea. Two-thirds of the people in Taiwan believe in Mazu, making her their spiritual home.
Taiwanese pilgrim Liao Pei-yun:
These are handmade amulets, placed inside a lucky bag. We hope to share this good fortune with our fellow villagers here, and we'll also take them back to Taiwan.
Taiwanese pilgrim Hsu Tse-nan:
Mazu is like family to us, protecting us. She has been with me for over fifty years. This is my first time visiting Mazu on the mainland. I pray for the safety and health of my whole family.
Shared family values and a common wish for peace bring compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait together in this season of remembering their ancestors, praying for favorable weather, national prosperity, and peace.
This report was filed by our reporter Guo Tianqi from Fujian (Meizhou Island).