True Portrait of Mazu

Author: Lin Qingchang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: This book aims to "continue" the "true and authentic" Mazu, and therefore, as a supplement, it adopts a critical attitude towards the deification of the Record of Imperial Enfeoffment of the Empress of Heaven. It records the "imperial enfeoffments" of Lin Mo as "Empress of Heaven" and "Empress of the Sea" by various feudal dynasties from the Song to the Qing periods. These were all divine titles and occurred after Lin Mo's death. This fully aligns with the needs of the feudal ruling class. The various feudal dynasties were in perfect agreement, and their edicts and memorial essays never used the respectful title "Mazu." Even the Record of Imperial Enfeoffment itself, constrained by the limitations of feudal society, dared not praise Lin Mo with the elegant and revered name "Mazu." Clearly, as early as the feudal era, the divine titles "Empress of Heaven" and "Empress of the Sea" used by rulers and the ruling class could not be equated with "Mazu," the revered folk sage.
In my humble and superficial opinion, research and evaluation of Mazu and Mazu culture are still largely based on individual perspectives. Especially regarding the issue of Mazu's resting place and her status, as well as the connotations and extensions of ancient architecture, there has been no in-depth exploration or conclusion. Therefore, the preface is intended to cast a stone to attract jade—throwing out ideas to provoke further discussion.