Matsu continues to be held in reverence on Guishan

The Wanshan Archipelago Folk Culture Festival came to a jubilant conclusion on June 6 as thousands of fishermen and celebrants from neighboring islands commemorated Matsu's Birthday on Guishan Island.

The birthday of Matsu has been celebrated for 200 years on the 23rd day of the fourth lunar month. Also known as Tin Hau, Mazu, and other names, Matsu is a legendary sea goddess of the Southern Sea known for courage and compassion, calming storms, and rescuing seafarers in trouble.

After a lion dance and firecrackers, a Matsu statue bearing worshippers' written wishes was moved by Islanders along the street to an altar. The statue was then transported back to the permanent Matsu Temple.

Matsu palanquin rolls on Guishan Island

Guishan Matsu Birthday blessing zones were set up at both the Xiangzhou Port Passenger Terminal off Central Lovers Avenue and on the island where many tourists wrote on wooden plaques that were then hung for wellbeing and good luck.

This year's grand feast opened at dusk with 228 tables and an auction held late into the night.

The event was preceded by the April 18 Pak Tai (a water deity of safe passage) celebrations and the May 8 Matsu's Birthday celebrations on Big Wanshan Island.

Lion dance drives away bad luck

Blessing plaques [Photos by Cheng Lin / Zhuhai Daily]