BEIJING, Nov. 27, 2024 — A group of over 120 young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait completed a 200-kilometer trek to Meizhou Island in Putian city, Fujian Province, carrying statues of the sea goddess Mazu. This pilgrimage, demonstrating devotion and commitment to preserving Mazu’s cultural legacy, was part of the third Quanzhou-Taiwan Mazu youth culture festival.
The festival participants honored the sea goddess and promoted the Mazu spirit of virtue, compassion, and universal love.
Gen Z participants, united by their shared belief in Mazu, are infusing this ancient tradition with modern energy and reinterpreting it for a new generation.
Cross-Straits connections
Mazu, believed to be the deified 10th-century woman Lin Mo from Meizhou Island, is revered for her selfless acts and rescue of shipwreck victims.
The Mazu belief, deeply embedded in the lives of coastal Chinese communities and their descendants, fosters family harmony, social unity, and cultural identity, according to UNESCO.
In 2009, Mazu belief and customs were recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Currently, over 10,000 Mazu temples exist across 49 countries and regions, all linked to the ancestral Mazu Temple on Meizhou Island. Chinanews reports over 300 million global followers.
Taiwan alone boasts over 3,000 Mazu temples, with believers comprising two-thirds of the island’s population.
The Mazu tradition is particularly strong in Taiwan, with Meizhou Island considered the faith’s spiritual homeland.
Yu Minghua, a professor at Putian University, noted increased cross-Straits interactions among young people through seminars and exchanges.
The professor stated that the Mazu cultural circle has become a dynamic community, bridging divides and fostering friendships.
The belief in Mazu has united people across the Straits for generations.
Over 300,000 Taiwanese visit Meizhou annually for pilgrimages and tourism, according to Fujian Province authorities.
Zhou Lifei, an associate research fellow at the Putian Mazu Culture Research Institute, highlighted young people’s innovative approaches to engaging with Mazu culture.
Zhou explained that Gen Z is bringing their faith online, expanding the cultural significance of Mazu beyond its traditional context.
These younger devotees seek blessings not only for fishermen but also for education, marriage, and other life events.
Sun Zixuan, director of Yibanxiang Mazu Exhibition Hall and an event organizer, stated that this year’s festival provides a platform to showcase China’s rich traditional culture and preserve Mazu’s heritage.
The pilgrimage, Sun added, offers opportunities for youth from both sides of the Taiwan Strait to support each other, deepen exchanges, and enhance unity.
A modern perspective
Trevor Kuo Hsuan Hao, a pilgrim from Taipei, shared his participation stemmed from his family’s deep-rooted belief in Mazu culture.
He expressed feeling at home on the mainland, stating that the shared belief in Mazu fostered a sense of family with mainland peers, facilitated by communication in both Hokkien and Putonghua.
Experts observed that younger generations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have revitalized this cherished tradition by integrating Mazu culture into their lives.
Zheng Zilin, a Putian University graduate, created a Mazu-themed game.
The game, playable by two to five people, allows players to explore its narrative and experience Mazu’s message of love and peace. Zheng believes Mazu culture has strong intellectual property potential for the creative industries.
Kuo mentioned that in Taiwan, young people have integrated Mazu culture and stories into various creative works, including TV series, novels, comics, and animation.
As a shared belief and cultural origin for people across the Taiwan Strait, Mazu’s legacy continues to be renewed through the innovative contributions of younger generations on both the mainland and Taiwan.
SOURCE Global Times