Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou

Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou

Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tianhou Temple, the existing Mazu temple in China with the highest architectural specifications, largest scale, and earliest founding date, is located on Tianhou Road in downtown Quanzhou and is known as the "Sacred Temple of Wengling." It is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou was first built in the second year of the Qingyuan era of the Southern Song Dynasty (1196) to enshrine the sea goddess Mazu. According to the Putian County Annals · Meizhou Annals, Mazu was originally named Lin Moniang. She was born in the first year of the Jianlong era of Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty (960), and was intelligent from childhood, able to tread waves and cross the sea, rescuing many fishermen in distress. On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month in the fourth year of the Yongxi era (987), she ascended to heaven on Meiyu Peak of Meizhou Island. To commemorate her, a temple was erected on Meiyu Peak that same year, making this the ancestral temple of Mazu temples around the world. Legend has it that Mazu continued to protect seafaring vessels after ascending to heaven, and she is revered as the "Goddess of the Straits." Successive emperors throughout history conferred titles on Mazu such as "Heavenly Consort" and "Heavenly Empress." Mazu temples, also known as Tianhou Temples or Tianfei Temples, were built in coastal areas of China and overseas Chinese communities.

Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou was originally a gathering place for “merchant ships and passenger vessels.” In the 13th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1415), upon the request of Zheng He, an imperial decree was issued to renovate the temple. Thereafter, Ming Dynasty envoys departing from Quanzhou by sea to various Southeast Asian nations would all come to this temple to pray. In the 19th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1680), during the campaign to unify Taiwan, the Quanzhou native Shi Lang attributed divine assistance from Mazu and petitioned for her posthumous title to be elevated to “Heavenly Empress,” hence the temple came to be called “Tianhou Temple.” The extant main hall, rear hall, pavilions on both sides, and eastern corridor of Tianhou Temple in Quanzhou still retain their original appearance from the early Qing Dynasty construction, featuring a well-arranged layout, exquisite and delicate structure, and magnificent splendor. The front hall is three bays wide and four bays deep, with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof style, and the rear hall stands with two Brahman-style stone pillars. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)

Suggested Duration

1 hour

Admission Fee

10.00 RMB

Opening Hours

08:00~17:30

Location

No. 1, Tianhou Road, Licheng District, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province

Lin Mo, also known as Mo Niang, was affectionately called “Auntie,” “Niangma,” or “Mazu” by the people. She was from Putian.

Born on the 23rd day of the third lunar month in the first year of the Jianlong era (960) into an official family on Meizhou Isle, Putian County, she never cried from birth until she was one month old. Thus, she was named “Mo” (silent), also called “Mo Niang.” Her great-grandfather Baoji served in the Zhou Dynasty as a military commander but resigned and secluded himself on Meizhou. Her grandfather Fu inherited the family merit and served as the Fujian Provincial Commander. Her father Yuan held the position of Fujian Patrol Inspector in the early Song Dynasty. Mo Niang was exceptionally intelligent; at the age of 8, she could grasp the gist of texts while studying under a tutor. As she grew older, she enjoyed chanting scriptures and worshipping Buddha. She... More details about Lin Mo++

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units