Mazu Festival

 The Mazu Pilgrimage can be counted as one of the most important and largest folk culture events in Taiwan.Mazu is the most admirable goddess in Taiwan people's heart. Wherever you are, the Mazu Temple can be seen. The sacrifice activities relating to Mazu are so various, such as the celebration of Mazu's birthday, burning incense and the welcoming ceremony of Mazu's coming.
Divinities have their own birthdays. Mazu's birthday is March 23rd of the Lunar Calendar. All the sacrifice activities are staged around this day. Burning incense takes place ahead of her birthday in order to call back Mazu's spirit. Almost all villages have their own Mazu and each Mazu dominates its own village. On Mazu's birthday, the villagers take the hostess Mazu to get around in the village to pray for security. Sometimes, the villagers invite another Mazu to come to their village. This Mazu is a guest Mazu. The host and guest Mazus join the patrol together.

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