The 23rd day of the third lunar month is the birthday of Mazu, Goddess of the Strait. On this day, temples hold unprecedentedly large-scale celebrations. The Mazu Temple on Meizhou Island in Fujian's Fuding City is especially crowded with people, with tens of thousands of believers paying their respects.
She attained enlightenment at a young age and saved all living beings
Mazu's surname was Lin and her given name was Mo. She was from Gangli Village, Zhongmen Township, on the north shore of Meizhou Bay in Putian. According to the Lin Clan Genealogy of the Song Dynasty, she was the eighth-generation granddaughter of Lin Yun, the ninth of nine magistrates, and the 22nd-generation granddaughter of Wang Linlu of Jin'an County, and the sixth daughter of Lin Yuan, a Song dynasty imperial inspector. On the 23rd day of the third lunar month in the year gengchen of 960, Lin Mo was born. She never cried, so she was named Mo.
Lin Mo was bright and lovable from an early age. When he was seven, his father began teaching him to read and understand the meaning of words. By the time he was ten, he loved to sit alone in his room reading. One day, an old Taoist priest with great magical powers passed by the Lin family's front door and saw Lin Mo's handsome face. He wanted to recruit him as a disciple, so he taught him the secrets of the supernatural. From then on, Lin Mo was different from other people.
When Lin Mo was fifteen years old, she could go up the mountain to pick herbs to cure the sick in the village, and she often crossed the sea to Meizhou to rescue ships in distress at sea. In September of that year, her father and brother took a boat north for work and encountered a violent storm with ferocious waves. Lin Mo, who was weaving, suddenly felt drowsy, her face turned pale, and she held the shuttle in her hand, but her feet did not move the loom. When her mother saw this, she thought that she was pretending to sleep, so she gently nudged her awake. The shuttle in her hand fell to the ground, and she said in tears, in a panic, “Father is fine, but my brother is dead!” and then she burst into tears.
The mother was doubtful, but after a while, her father returned and said that Lin Mo's brother's ship had been capsized by the wind and sunk to the bottom of the sea, while the ship he was on was rescued after it approached his ship. The next day, Lin Mo, her mother and sister-in-law rowed out to sea and found her brother's body. The villagers were so impressed that they called her “Goddess”.
When Lin Mo was 28 years old, it happened to be the Double Ninth Festival on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. After dressing up, she reluctantly said goodbye to her sisters, “Today I'm going on a long journey, but unfortunately I can't go with you.” She then burst into tears.
Her sisters laughed at her strange words, and since the outing would only last half a day or a day, they asked her why she was so sad. They thus comforted her and saw her off.
Lin Mo left her sisters and set off alone in a boat across the sea to the highest point on the mountain on Meizhou Island on the opposite shore. She climbed onto a huge rock when she suddenly heard ethereal music, and then she felt the clouds beneath her feet fluttering, and she ascended into the clouds... During the Yongxi reign period (984–987), the people of Gangli Village built a temple on Meizhou Island to worship her and called it the Mazu Temple in memory of Lin Mo's life-saving and healing deeds. They also engraved the words “Ascension Stone” on the stone she had climbed when she ascended to heaven.
Mazu's miraculous responses: successive imperial bestowals
Because Mazu is worshipped as the goddess of maritime salvation, many legends about her miraculous appearances have been passed down, and she has therefore been praised and honoured by emperors of successive dynasties 13 times.
In the fourth year of the Xuanhe reign period of Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty (1122), the imperial censor Lue Yundi was on a diplomatic mission to Goryeo when a severe storm broke out. Seven of the eight boats capsized, but his boat alone remained stable. He prayed to the heavens for help and saw a goddess appear on the mast. He hurriedly bowed to her to ask for her protection. In no time, the wind died down and the waves calmed, and the boat arrived safely in Goryeo and returned. When the envoy returned to the capital, he reported to the emperor that the goddess had appeared and calmed the waves. The emperor bestowed the temple with the name “Shunji” and erected a temple at the estuary, and bestowed the title “Lady Shunji” on Mazu.
In the autumn of the twenty-seventh year of Shaoxing (1157), there was a water market five li east of Pucheng, where all the ships gathered, called Baihhu. The Zhang and Shao clans of the area had a joint dream in which a god pointed to the spot where the temple should be built. When Chen Junqing, a high-ranking official of the Southern Song Dynasty, heard about it, he inspected the site and found it to be auspicious. The temple was completed the following year. Thirty years later, bandits led by Liu Juxing and others raided the area as far as Jiangkou. When the residents discovered this, they prayed to Mazu in the temple for protection. Suddenly there was a violent wind, the sky darkened, the waves on the sea were ferocious, and the goddess appeared in the sky. The bandits were scared and retreated. Not long after, the bandits came back and invaded again, and the goddess appeared again. The bandits were finally captured by the imperial army. The imperial army reported to the emperor, listing the goddess's miracles, and she was granted the title of “Lingsi” and “Zhaoying Chongshan Fuli Lady”.
There are many records of the Song Dynasty, including stories of the goddess appearing in dreams, helping the soldiers catch the thieves, and annihilating the invaders. As a result, she was repeatedly bestowed with titles and, in folk beliefs, was also included among the eighteen leaders of the immortals. The “Meizhou Zhi” records: During the Northern Song Dynasty, a merchant named San Bao, loaded with exotic goods, wanted to trade with foreign countries. Before departure, the ship's anchor would not move, and he saw a strange man sitting still. He reported the incident to the passengers, who disembarked and asked the locals which god in the north was the most powerful. Some said that the spirit of the mountain goddess had answered the prayer. They went to the temple and worshipped, and the anchor lifted. They burned a joss-stick incense in the stone niche in front of the temple and prayed, “God, if you are really listening, this incense is proof that you are listening. We hope that you will answer our prayers and keep the waterways safe, so that we can return home with a big profit. The god's work was answered by building the temple on a large scale. When sailing on the sea or in times of danger, the worshippers would light incense and pray, and they were clearly protected. After three years, the merchant returned safely and donated gold to build the temple, which was completely renovated. During the reign of Emperor Zhen Zong of the Song Dynasty (1023-1032), believers expanded the temple and built more halls and altars.
From the records in the Meizhou Zhi, it can be seen that the Meizhou Tianfei Temple was originally small in scale, and then in the period of less than 40 years after Lin Mosheng ascended to heaven, the temple gradually expanded in scale as a result of the wishes made by seafaring merchants to the goddess. The Song Dynasty incorporated Tianfei into Taoism.
By the Yuan Dynasty, although society had progressed compared to the Song Dynasty, the shipbuilding industry was lagging behind. The largest sea transport ships were no more than 1,000 jin, and the smallest 300 jin, with a carrying capacity of only 15–50 tons. The sea routes were circuitous, with treacherous shoals and rough waves. The natural weather was unpredictable, and there was always the danger of shipwreck at sea. Therefore, the grain officials and sailors of the shipping fleet relied on the protection of Tianfei. Every time they transported grain, the officials had to go to the Tin Fei Temple to pray for good fortune before setting sail.
In the 18th year of the Zhiyuan reign period of the Yuan dynasty (1271), when the country was just stabilizing, the Yuan emperor issued an imperial decree saying: “In the past, there were important state sacrifices, and since Yu Wangji, the sacrifices to the sea and mountains have been extremely revered. I respectfully follow the rules of the Tianfu and emulate the ancient ways in the four seas . You alone have the gods, protecting the sea route, on which the grain ships and the transport of grain by water depend for their lives. Your power is awesome, and your blessings are manifest. Since the unification, you have not been granted a title. The officials have requested it, and it is also appropriate according to the rites. Now I appoint Zhengfeng Dafu Xuanwei Shi, Zuowu Duyuanjian and Fujian Dao Shipai Tijiu Pushi Wenzi Ce'er as the Protector of the Nation, the famous Tianfei. In the play, she defended against disasters and was enshrined in the sacrificial rites. Her contribution to assisting the prime minister was great, and the rites of worship were forced to be announced with great honors. You are expected to obey this new order to protect our people and support our country, so that the gods will enjoy the worship forever and ever!
In the first year of the Yuan dynasty's Yanyou reign (1314), Emperor Ren Zong issued an imperial edict saying: “The love for others and the ability to help others are outstanding in Chongming. It is appropriate to honor virtue and reward merit with rituals...Therefore, I decree that the goddess Lin, who has protected the country and is well-known, is intelligent and well-informed, has a benevolent heart and is willing to help, and has the ability to turn misfortune into good fortune when facing danger. She is in control of the wind and waves, and has been heard to speak at times of peril, guiding people to safety. She has been seen to shine with divine light, and is always quick to respond. She has no limits, and her temple is everywhere. The southeast region depends on the canal for its transport, and without her blessings, it would be difficult to show the world her miracles. Therefore, she is honored with the title of “Heavenly Empress” to protect the country and its people, and to help them prosper.
In the second year of the Tianli reign (1329) of the Yuan Dynasty, Emperor Wenzong conferred the title of “Heavenly Empress of Outstanding Virtue Who Protects the Country, Saves the People, Is Well-Known for Her Miraculous Powers, Helps with Obedience, Is Generous and Brilliant” upon her.
The reason for the conferral was as follows: In the first year of the Tianli reign of Emperor Wenzong, the Xia County Maritime Customs Office was transporting grain to the sea. A hurricane suddenly arose, with huge waves that continued for seven days and nights. The people were exhausted, and the ship almost capsized. The boatman wailed for divine protection. At dusk, a lamp descended from the sky, illuminating the boat with a brilliance like daylight. It looked as if the gods were descending. Soon after, the raging waves suddenly subsided, and the boat was filled with an exotic fragrance. Since then, the waterway has been safe, and the ships have been able to reach Zhigu directly. The provincial government reported this to the capital, and the emperor ordered the scholar Pu Yanshili of the Hanlin Academy to offer sacrifices with imperial incense. In the second year, the transport of grain resumed without any loss due to divine protection. When the news reached the court, the emperor immediately conferred an additional title and sent officials such as Huang Fen to convey the message and pay special homage to Meizhou, as well as to various temples in Huai, Zhejiang, and Minhai, for a total of 18 temples.
At that time, Emperor Wenzong decreed: “The way of the universe is governed by the gods, who are the arbiters of yin and yang. The stability of the country is ensured by the mountains and rivers, and the country owes its prosperity to the goddess. She is the protector of the country, the embodiment of heaven and earth, the guardian of mountains and rivers, and the saviour of our people in times of danger. She steers the ship through the wind and waves, and has repeatedly saved our people from peril. She is the goddess of the sea, the guardian of the ships of the empire, and has often saved them from danger...” In the second year of the Tianli reign period of the Yuan Dynasty, the imperial court ordered that sacrificial texts be sent to the Mazu temples in various places, from Zhigu in the north to Quanzhou in the south, to ensure the success of the grain transport.
The worship of Mazu became even more popular in the Ming Dynasty. Zheng He's seven voyages to the Western Ocean lasted 30 years, covering more than 100,000 li of the vast ocean, between the Pacific, Atlantic and Arabian seas, and passing through more than 30 countries. The goddess he prayed to for protection was mainly Mazu.
It is recorded and passed down in the stone inscription “The Heavenly Empress's Miraculous Response” at Sanfengta Temple in Changle County, Fujian Province that in the third year of the Yongle reign (1405) of the Ming Dynasty, eunuch admiral Zheng He set sail for the Western Ocean for the first time, passing through the waters of Changle. Suddenly, a fierce storm broke out, with towering waves. Seeing that the ship was in danger of capsizing, Zheng He burned three incense sticks and prayed to the Heavenly Empress for blessings, and immediately the wind died down and the waves calmed. As a result, Zheng He built a temple in Changle to worship the Heavenly Empress. According to the “Meizhou Zhi” compiled by Lin Qingbiao during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, Zheng He's first voyage to the West was to Guangzhou Daxingyang when the ship was caught in a storm and about to capsize. The ship's crew prayed to the gods, saying: “Zheng He was ordered to go on a diplomatic mission to the Western states, but suddenly encountered dangerous wind and waves. His life is not to be regretted, but the lives of hundreds of people are hanging by a thread. I hope the gods can save them. Suddenly, they heard the sound of drums and trumpets, and a fragrant breeze came from above. It seemed as if God was standing at the top of the mast. The wind died down and the waves calmed. They returned to the capital and reported back to the emperor, who ordered them to tidy up the temples.
Historical records also state that in the seventh year of the Yongle reign (1409), the imperial commissioner and head eunuch Chen Qing and others set sail for the Western Ocean. The pirates knew what they were doing and were coveting the treasure, so they led dozens of ships to intercept the fleet in midstream. It was a strong wind, the current was like flying, our ship was trapped, everyone was scared, Chen and the others were ordered by the emperor to come here. There were hundreds of people in the vast ocean, and they had to decide whether to fight or surrender in order to survive. That night, a divine dream showed them how to catch the enemy with the wind. Our ship took advantage of the fog and the strong wind to advance, and the next day the wind was favorable. Chen Qing took advantage of the wind to charge the enemy's ship. The thief was terrified. The wind was strong and the ship fast, the thief's sail was broken when the official mast was thrust into it. Chen Qing leapt overboard with his sword, the thief's leader threw himself into the water, and was captured after being hooked. The rest were all captured, and numerous weapons and goods were seized. Upon returning to the capital, the emperor once again praised the Tianfei.
According to the “Ryukyu Kingdom Chronicles”, in the twelfth month of the fifth year of the Xuande reign period of the Ming dynasty, the imperial envoy Yang Hong commanded the eunuchs, the thousand households and their attendants, and sailed on 30 large and small ships loaded with colored coins. The ships visited the countries of A Chau, Siam, Java, Majapahit, Sumatra, Musgo, Dongpu Lava and Chubu, and respectfully worshipped the goddess to pray for blessings. In the first month, the boat reached the middle of the river. The sky was clear and the sun was shining. In the distance, Lantau Island lay horizontally in the sea, with many strange rocks and strange sea creatures growing on it. Everyone said that they had been in the boat for a long time and should go ashore to relax a little. They all climbed up the strange rocks, and there was a small cliff nearby. A woman was carrying a basket and picking snails. She went up to the cliff to take a closer look, but when she saw the boat, she was so frightened that she hurriedly shouted at her to stop. Suddenly, the woman disappeared, and when she looked back, Lantau Island had already disappeared. It was only then that she realized that the island she had been climbing was in fact a giant sea turtle emerging from the water. Its spirit was the goddess Tin Fei, who had appeared to save these dozens of people. They all bowed to thank the goddess and returned to the emperor to report the news and offer sacrifices to her.
In the Ming Dynasty, belief in the goddess reached a climax, especially during the voyages of Zheng He to the Western Seas. Large and small ships on diplomatic missions at sea would have the goddess worshipped and prayed to in the cabins for protection. According to the inscription on the tablet “The Miraculous Deeds of the Goddess of Heaven”: “Our sails are high, our ships travel day and night, braving the raging waves, as if walking on a main street. We owe this to the blessings of the imperial court. We owe it especially to the goddess's protection.” The novel “Popular Romance of the West” describes: “When the sky was dark, the waves surging, and the wind blowing fiercely, Zheng He and Wang Jinghong knelt and prayed: ”Believers Zheng and Wang respectfully pay homage to the Southern Hemisphere. Imperial Envoy of the Ming Emperor Zhu. Heading to the West. Pacifying the barbarians and taking treasures. Unexpectedly, the ocean was stormy. The treasure ship was in danger. We hope that the gods will protect us on the journey home and forever keep the incense lamp burning.” After the prayer was finished, there was a loud noise in the air, and a heavenly being appeared holding a lantern in his hand. He shouted, “Who dares to make so much noise!” Immediately, the wind stopped, and when he shouted again, the waves also calmed down...
Zheng He offered sacrifices to the heavenly empress during his voyages to the West, and thanked her after returning safely.
At the end of the Ming Dynasty, Zheng Chenggong rose up against the Qing Dynasty. He took Xiamen as his base and then marched on Taiwan, expelling the Dutch and recovering Taiwan. When the army arrived at Penghu by boat, a fierce wind started blowing, and it continued for days. The army ran out of food and supplies, and morale was low. Zheng Chenggong knelt down and prayed to the gods, asking that if Zheng's army should not perish, the wind and waves should immediately cease. Immediately after the sacrifice, everything returned to normal. As a result, the army successfully broke into Luyue Gate and occupied Chikan Castle. Therefore, after Zheng's army settled down, Zheng Chenggong immediately built temples all over the place to worship Tianfei, calling her Mazu and also honored as the “Goddess of Kaifeng”.
In the winter of the 21st year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, General Shi Lang, who was in command of 30,000 naval troops, stationed himself in Pinghai, Putian. The troops had difficulty obtaining fresh water. Shi Lang found an old dry well in front of the Pinghai Tianfei Temple. According to the local people, the well could originally supply water for 100 households. Shi Lang prayed to Tianfei for help and continued to dig deeper. Sure enough, a spring gushed forth, solving the troops' water problem. Shi Lang wrote a special article about the well, “Shi Quan Jing Ji,” and inscribed the words “Shi Quan” on the well, which still remain today.
In the sixth lunar month of the year jiazi (1684), Shi Lang attacked Taiwan. The naval forces sailed to Penghu, and the soldiers, in a trance, saw the Tianfei on board. Their morale was boosted, and they fought valiantly, clearing the enemy from Penghu. Liu Chun, a lieutenant in the military, had a dream in which the goddess told him that Penghu would be captured on the 21st day of the 6th lunar month and Taiwan would be taken in the 7th lunar month. This came true. When the people of Pinghai Township entered the Mazu Temple, they saw that the goddess's clothes were soaked through, and her two generals had blisters on both hands. After the emperor was informed, he sent an imperial edict to Meizhou to worship at the Mazu Temple.
Distribution of Mazu Temples in Meizhou
The Mazu Temple on Meizhou Island in Putian is the earliest memorial temple built in the place where legend has it that Lin Mo'niang ascended to heaven. It is respectfully known as the “ancestral temple of Meizhou”.
The Meizhou Mazu Temple was built in the fourth year of the Yongxi reign period of the Song Dynasty (987 AD), and at first only had a few rafters. It began to be expanded during the Tiansheng reign period (1023-1032 AD), and became more and more magnificent with each passing day. During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty (1403–1424), the navigator Zheng He was ordered twice to come to the island to preside over imperial sacrificial ceremonies and expand the temple. By the time of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, there were five groups of buildings, with carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent in gold and jade. The magnificence was no less than that of the “Dragon Palace on the Sea”. On the cliff behind the temple, there is an inscription by Guanlan, and the stone tablet “Ascension Stone” where Lin Mosheng ascended to heaven is also preserved.
There are also temples in Mazu's hometown, such as Gangli, Baihu, and Shengdun. At that time, Quanzhou, the main port for foreign trade, built the Tianfei Temple during the Qingyuan period (1131-1200). The capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou, also built the Shunji Shengfei Temple. Fishermen and seafarers along the coast worshipped Mazu as the goddess of protection at sea. Temples dedicated to the goddess were built along the Chinese coastline in Dandong, Qinhuangdao, Tianjin, Yantai, Shanghai, Ningbo, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Guangzhou, and Macao. Even inland, there are temples in Jingdezhen, Zhenyuan in Guizhou, and Tianchang County in Anhui.
With the development of overseas transportation, overseas Chinese went abroad to make a living, and the belief in Mazu was also taken to all corners of the world. Temples dedicated to the goddess were built in North Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, and other places. Mazu's influence is even more profound in Taiwan, which is separated from Fujian by the sea.
In China, the Mazu Temple on Meizhou Island is considered one of the three most important Mazu temples, along with the ones in Tianjin and Beigang, Taiwan. The A-Ma Temple in Macau, built during the Chenghua reign (1465–1487) of the Ming dynasty, has been in existence for five centuries and is a popular destination for Chinese and foreign tourists.
One-third of the people in Taiwan believe in Mazu. There are now 496 Mazu temples of various sizes on the island, some called Tianfei Palace, some called Tianhou Palace, and some called Mazu Temple, Tianhou Temple, Tianhou Shrine, Holy Mother Altar, Wenyuan Hall, Chaotian Palace, Shuangci Pavilion, Anlan Hall, Zhongxing Gongcuo, Fuyang Hall, and Tibaoguan.
The statues of the Tin Fei worshipped by Taiwanese compatriots come from different places on the mainland and are called by different names. The one from Meizhou is called “Meizhou Mazu”, the one from Quanzhou is called “Wenling Mazu” and the one from Tong'an is called “Yintong Mazu”.
Nowadays, on the mainland, on the 23rd day of the third lunar month every year, the birthday of Mazu, Meizhou Island is thronged with pilgrims, and no fewer than 100,000 believers come to worship on the island. Not only do they come from all over the country, but also overseas Chinese and compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao. Many Taiwanese compatriots come to Meizhou Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices through various means and with various offerings. Before coming to Meizhou, some are entrusted by their fellow villagers to carry the incense from Beigang Mazu Temple and drive around the main Mazu temples on the island to perform the “incense receiving ceremony”. They pray for the safety of their relatives on both sides of the strait. Some Taiwanese compatriots take a boat to the island on the night of the 22nd day of the lunar calendar and wait quietly in front of the main hall to offer the first incense in the early morning. Since the Meizhou Mazu Temple was destroyed during the ten years of turmoil, in recent years, with the support of the government, a board of directors for the reconstruction of the Mazu Temple has been established. The reconstruction is funded by the public, and many Taiwanese compatriots have also donated funds and come to Meizhou to “invite” Mazu to go to Taiwan.
每年农历三月廿三日，是被誉为海峡女神妈祖的诞辰纪念日。逢上这一天。庙会规模空前，尤其是福建甫田市湄洲岛上妈祖庙，张灯结彩，香烟缭绕，人山人海，十余万善男信女虔诚祭拜。
自幼得道 普救众生
妈祖姓林名默，莆田湄洲湾北岸忠门乡港里村人。据《林氏大宋谱》记载，是九牧林蕴的八世孙女，也是晋安郡王林禄的二十二世孙女，是宋都巡检林愿第六女儿。公元九六0年三月二十三日(农历)庚辰，林默出世，弥目不闻啼哭，因而名默。
林默从小聪颖，惹人喜爱。七岁时，父亲开始教学，秉解文义。十岁时，便喜欢单独静坐在房间里读书。有一天，一位法术高强老道从林家门前经过，见林默眉清目秀，乃遍游人间所欲求收之徒。于是，授于玄微秘法。从此，林默有异于他人。
林默十五岁时，便可以上山采草药为乡邻治病，还经常渡海到湄洲救助海上遇险船只。那年九月，她的父亲和哥哥因公乘船北上，恰遇狂风暴雨，海面恶浪滔天。正在织布的林默忽有打盹的感觉，猛地脸色苍白，手上拿梭，脚下织机却没有踩动。母亲见了，以为她假装睡觉，轻轻地将她推醒，她手上的机梭便落到地上，流着泪惊慌地说： “阿爸没事，阿哥死了!”说完放声痛哭。
母亲将信将疑，过一会儿，她的父亲回来，说林默的哥哥所乘船只被风刮翻沉没海底，而他自己所乘的船只靠近他船获救。第二天，林默和母亲、嫂嫂驾舟入海寻得兄尸，乡人神之，称为神姑。
林默二十八岁那年，正值九月九日重阳节，她经过一番打扮后，恋恋不舍地向姐姐们告别说：“今天我要远游了，可惜无法姐妹同行。”说完一阵伤悲。
姐姐们笑她说话奇怪，出游无非半天、一天时间，何用如此伤心?因而劝慰着送她出门。
林默离开了姐姐们，独自泛舟渡海到对岸湄洲岛山上最高处，登上一块巨石，忽闻一阵仙乐飘渺，猛地脚下云朵飘动，升入云端……。雍熙(984—987)年间，港里村人为纪念林默生前治病和救人之功，在湄洲岛建庙祀她，称妈祖庙。并在她升天时所登之石上刻下“升天石”三字。
妈祖灵应 历代受封
由于妈祖被人们做为海上救难女神供奉，流传着许多有关妈祖显灵的传说，因而受到历代帝王的十三次褒封。
宋徽宗宣和四年壬寅(1122年)给事中略允迪出使高丽，值大风，八舟七溺，独其舟危荡未覆。急祝天庇，见一女神在桅杆上现身，忙叩头求庇佑。须臾，风平浪静，舟辑安然无恙，顺利至高丽后回返。使官回朝将女神显灵平息波浪之事奏于皇帝，御赐“顺济”庙额，在江口立庙，封妈祖为顺济夫人。
宋绍兴二十七年秋 (1157年)，莆城东五里许有水市，诸舶所集，曰白湖。该地章氏，邵氏二族人共梦神指地立庙，少师陈俊卿(南宋名相)闻之，验其地果吉，因以奉神，次年庙建成。三十年流寇刘巨兴等啸众直抵江口洗劫，居民发现后，祷于庙内求妈祖保佑。忽然狂风大作，天昏地暗，海面恶浪滔天，空中显出女神，贼人害怕退去。过不久，贼人又来进犯，女神再次显灵，贼寇终为官军捕获。官军启奏皇上，罗列神功，奉旨加封灵慈，昭应崇善福利夫人。
在宋代有许多有关记载中，还有天妃显灵托梦、神助官兵捕贼，围歼入寇等的故事，也因此，多次受封，在民间信奉中，还被列入仙班十八头领之中。《湄洲志》记载：北宋时期，商人三宝，满载异货，要通外国。临发前，椗不动，见一怪坐定不动。急报，客大怪，登岸，询洲人，北方何神最灵 ?或曰本山灵女报称显应。遂诣词拜祷，其椗立起，乃焚香一瓣于祠前石间，祝曰神有灵此香为证，愿显微应，俾水道安康，大获赀归。即大立规模以答神功，迨泛舟海上或遇风涛危急，拈香仰祝，咸昭然庇护。越三年，回航安全，商人捐金创建庙宇，焕然改观，及宋真宗天圣中(1023—1032)信者扩其他，廊庑益坛巍峨。
从《湄洲志》的记载中可以看出，湄洲天妃官原先规模较小，然后在林默升天不到四十年的时期中，由于航海经商者对灵女许愿的结果，庙宇规模逐渐扩大。宋朝把天妃纳入道教。
到了元代，虽然社会比宋代有所进步，但造船业落后，海上交通运输船舶大者不过千石，小者三百石，载运量只有 15—50吨之间的海上帆船。海道的迂回，险滩恶浪，自然气象变化无穷无法掌握，海上行船，随时都有翻船的危险。因此，漕运船舶的押粮官和水手便仰赖天妃保佑。每次运粮，官家必须先行到天妃庙卜吉然后开洋。
元世祖至元十八年辛未 (1271年)，国家刚稳定，元世祖下诏说：“惟昔有国祀为大事，自有虞望秩而下，海岳之祀日至崇极，朕恭承天府而有四海粤若稽古，咸秩无文，惟尔有神，保护海道，粮舟漕运恃神为命，威灵赫赫，应验昭彰，自混一以来，未逞封爵，有司奏请，礼亦宜之。今遣正奉大夫宣慰使，左副都元帅兼福建道市舶提举莆师文册尔为护国明著天妃，于戏，捍患御灾，功载祀典，辅相之功甚大，迫崇之礼宣优，尔期服兹新命，以庇佑我黎民，阴相我国家，则神之享祀有崇，永无极矣!”
元仁宗延祐元年(1314年)，仁宗下诏书说：“爱人利物克著于重溟，崇德报功，礼宜崇乎……肆颁伦命，护国明著天妃林氏，聪明通达，道心喜利，当临危履险之际有转祸为福之方。详飚迭驭，曾闻瞬息桅樯出火，屡见神光，有感即通，无远弗庙，顾东南之漕运实左右之凭依，不有褒恩，易彰圣迹，于戏!爵以驭贵，宣懿号之加，海不扬波，尚冀太平之助，可加封护国庇民广济明著天妃。
至元文宗天历二年(1329年)封护国辅圣庇民显佑广济灵威助顺广惠徽烈明著天妃。
褒封的原因是：文宗天历元年，夏备海道万户府分司运粮至大海，飓风骤起，巨浪连天，七日夜不息。人因疲乏，运艘几于翻覆。舟人哀号求神庇佑。会暮，有灯从空中而下，掩映舟中辉煌如昼。宛见神灵陟降。少倾，怒涛顿平，船上觉异香缤郁。自此水道无虞，径抵直沽。都省奏闻，奉旨差翰林国史院学士普颜实理，御香驰致祭。二年漕运复籍神庇无失。事闻于朝，即于加封，并遣官黄份等驰传具礼专诣湄洲特祭，并致祭淮浙闽海等处各种庙共十八所。
当时文宗下诏说：“阴阳不恻惟神克燮理之道，河山永定在国尤资转运之功……护国明著天妃，天地钟灵，山川炳慧，风转舵摧，屡救吾民之危，大流水争，常全藩舶之危……”。元文宗天历二年，北至直沽，南至泉州，朝廷为漕运顺利，命翰林院拟就祭文到各地天妃宫致祭。
信奉天妃至明朝更为盛行。郑和七次下西洋，历时三十年，涉沧溟十万余里，往返于太平洋、大西洋和阿拉伯海，途经三十多个国家，乞求保护的神主要是天妃。
在福建长乐县三峰塔寺石刻《天妃灵应记》中记载和流传，明永乐三年，三保太监郑和首次下西洋，途经长乐海域，突然狂风大作，恶浪滔天，眼看舟楫有倾覆之危，郑和焚香三柱，求天妃保佑，顿时风平浪静。．于是，郑和在长乐立庙祭祀天妃。据清乾隆年间林清标辑《湄洲志》中记载，郑和首次下西洋至广州大星洋遭风，舟将覆，舟工祈祷于神说：郑和奉命出使西邦，忽遭风涛危险，身固不足惜．恐无以报天子，且数百人之命悬于呼吸，望神救之。俄闻喧然鼓吹声，一阵香风，从上而来，宛见神立于桅端，风恬浪静，归朝复命奏上，奉旨整理祠庙。
史料还记载；明永乐七年巳丑 (1409年)，钦差太监统领指挥陈庆等往西洋，贼觇识，垂涎宝货，率数十艘于中流截劫。正值大风，奔流如飞，我舟被困，众惧股傈，陈等奉君命到此．数百人在茫茫大海中，须决雌雄尚可生还，当夜神梦示佐风擒敌，我舰乘雾急风上朔，翌日顺风，陈庆乘风冲敌舟，贼惊骇，风急舟快，贼蓬被官桅倒插破裂，陈庆挥刃越舟，贼首投水，钩而俘之，余悉就擒，获军器货物无数，复命奏上奉旨再次褒嘉天妃。
据《琉球国志略》记载：明宣德五年十二月，钦差太监扬洪统领指挥，千百户及随从人等，驾船大小三十只，装载彩币，尝赐阿舟、暹罗、爪哇、满加剌、苏门答腊、木骨都、东卜剌哇、竹步八国，恭奉神妃，朝朝拜祈保佑。一月，舟至中流，天日清霁，远望大屿横峙海中，上多怪石，错生海物，众曰舟中郁郁已久，盍登岸少舒，各奇蹬而上，又旁有小矾，一女子携筐采螺，竟赴矾迫视之，洪恐其肆慢，趋前呵止，女子忽不见，回首大屿已没。方知前所登屿，即巨鳌浮现，其灵女乃天妃，现身救此数十人，各叩首谢神，归奏皇上奉御香祭致。
在明代，信奉天妃已达高潮，尤以郑和下西洋为最，大小船只出使海上，船舱中必供有天妃，在海上朝拜祀祷保祜。据《天妃之神灵应记》碑记载：“而我之云帆高涨，昼夜星驰，涉彼狂澜，若履通衢者，诚荷朝廷威福之致。尤赖天妃之神保祜之德。”《西洋通俗演义》中描述：“当乌天地黑，浪滚涛翻，狂风刮地而来时，郑和和王景弘跪道： “信士郑某、王某奉恭奉南赡部州。大明国朱皇帝钦差。前往西洋。抚夷取宝，不料海洋之上，风狂浪大。宝船将危，望乞天神俯垂护祐回国之日，永奉香灯。”祷告完毕，只见半空中划喇一声响，响声中吊下一个天神，手里持一盏灯笼，大声喝道：“甚么人作风哩!”喝完当即风止，又喝声浪，当即浪静……
郑和下西洋行前沿途要祭祀天妃，平安归来后又要酬谢天妃。
明末，郑成功起兵抗清，以厦门为阵地，继而出师台湾，驱逐荷夷，收复台湾。军队乘船到达彭湖时，狂风大作，连日不停，军中粮草殆尽，眼看士气不振。郑成功跪下朝天叩求神助说，要是郑军不该灭，请即风息浪静。祭毕当即如常．于是，军队顺利突入鹿月门，占领赤嵌城。因此，郑军安定后，郑成功即在各地建庙祀奉天妃，称天妃为妈祖，又荣称为开台妈。
清朝康熙二十一年孟冬，靖海将军施琅率三万水师驻莆田平海，因军中缺乏淡水，饮用困难。施琅访得平海天妃官前有一口枯井，据当地百姓介绍，此井原可供百户人家饮用。因此，施琅祀求天妃相助，继续深挖，果然涌泉如注，解决了军中吃水。施琅为此专作《师泉井记》，并写“师泉”二字，至今犹存。
康熙二十二年甲子 (1684年)六月，施琅攻打台湾，水师舟至澎湖，士兵们恍惚中见到天妃在船上，士气大振，勇猛冲杀，肃清澎湖敌军。署佐营千总刘春梦见天妃对他说，二十一日必攻克澎湖，七月可得台湾，果然如应。平海乡人进天妃宫时，见天妃衣袍湿透，她左右二神将两只手都起了泡，报皇上获悉后，御书香帛到湄洲祭妈祖庙。
湄洲妈祖庙分布情况
莆田湄洲岛上妈祖庙，是传说林默娘升化处人们最早建的纪念庙宇，被人们尊称为“湄洲祖庙”。
湄洲妈祖庙，创建于宋雍熙四年(公元987年)，初仅数椽；天圣年间(1023—1032年)开始扩建，日臻雄伟。明永乐年间(1403—1424年)，航海家郑和曾两次奉旨来到岛上主持御祭仪式并扩建庙宇。至清康熙时，有五组建筑群，雕梁画栋，金碧辉煌，其壮丽不啻“海上龙宫”。庙后崖石上．有观澜题刻，还保存林默升天处石刻“升天石”。
在妈祖的故乡建立庙宇的还有港里、白湖、圣墩等地，当时对外贸易的主要港口泉州，在庆元年间 (1131—1200)建立天妃庙。南宋首都杭州市也建有顺济圣妃庙。沿海各地的渔民和航海者把妈祖奉为海上保护之神，在中国的海岸线上的丹东、秦皇岛、天津、烟台、上海、宁波、福州、厦门、广州、澳门等地都建有天妃宫。甚至内地的景德镇、贵州镇远、安徽天长县也建有天妃宫。
随着海外交通的发展，华侨外出谋生，天妃的信仰也带到世界各地，朝鲜、日本、越南、新加坡、菲律宾等地也建有天妃宫。与福建隔海相望的台湾，天妃影响更为深远。
在国内，以湄洲妈祖庙和天津、台湾北港的妈祖庙并称为三大祖庙；澳门妈祖阁，建于明成化年间 (1465—1487年)，已整整经历了五个世纪，庙内香火鼎盛，为中外游人必到之处。
台湾有三分之一的同胞都信仰妈祖，如今全岛共有大小妈祖庙四百九十六座，有的称天妃宫，有的称天后官，还有称妈祖庙、天后寺、天后祠、圣母坛、文元堂、朝天宫、双慈亭、安澜厅、中兴公厝、纷阳殿、提标馆等。
台湾同胞所信奉的天妃，神像来自大陆不同地方，称呼也不同。来自湄洲的称“湄洲妈”，来自泉州的称“温陵妈”，来自同安的称“银同妈”。
如今大陆每年农历三月廿三日妈祖诞辰，湄洲岛上香客如云，善男信女进岛朝拜者不下十万人。不仅来自全国各地，而且有华侨、港澳同胞．许多台湾同胞通过各种途经携带各种祭品来湄洲祖庙祭祀。有的来湄洲之前，受乡亲委托，捧着北港天后宫的香火，乘车绕全岛主要妈祖庙，进行 “接香火仪式”。祈求海峡两岸亲人平安，有的台湾同胞乘船于农历二十二日夜进岛，守在大殿前静俟凌晨敬上第一柱香；由于湄洲妈祖庙毁于十年动乱，近几年在政府支持下，成立修建妈祖庙董事会，由群众捐资重建，许多台湾同胞也纷纷捐资，并来湄洲“请”妈祖去台。