Tianhou Shengmu Temple in Zhanglin

Tianhou Shengmu Temple in Zhanglin

The Tianhou Shengmu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Tianhou Shengmu Temple in Zhanglin Village is the largest temple dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea in the Chaoshan region. Upon its completion, numerous stone stelae were erected. At that time, the temple became extraordinarily magnificent, earning a reputation as the finest in the entire Chaoshan area. The structure features an imperial palace–style design, with crimson walls and red-tiled roofs, radiating splendor and grandeur. In front of the temple lies a spacious plaza, before which stands a screen wall painted with radiant images of the sun over clear waves — a dazzling display of auspicious colors. Two tall grey stone lions sit majestically in the center of the plaza, flanked by flagpoles soaring skyward. At the entrance stand two large stone drums, guarded by two stone lions, while the temple features Five Sealed Gates (with the side gates known as the Sun and Moon Cave Heavens), leading through five sections without direct exposure to the sky. There are three large ceremonial pavilions, and the main hall also includes a stone pavilion, with additional smaller ones on both sides. The rear hall is attended by divine maidens.

In front of the main hall, there hang grand plaques inscribed with “Tianhou Shengmu Palace” and “Heaven’s Grace.” Above the hall rises a majestic main sanctuary where the Goddess of the Sea, adorned in a golden statue, wears a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes, riding in a green phoenix chariot. Temple maidens carry trays and sacred seals. On the walls hang an imperial sword, paintings of the sun over whale-swept waves, and dragon-phoenix cloud motifs, all shining brilliantly. In front of the sanctuary are exquisite sculptures. The area is enclosed by railings, with a stone pavilion located just ahead. Between the pillars and beams of the pavilion are four wooden carvings of mythical turtles (ao), symbolizing the aquatic nature of the hall. The main hall has side chambers decorated with porcelain inlays forming intricate dragon and phoenix window designs, remarkably delicate and eye-catching. The roof ridges are adorned with two colorful flying dragons facing each other, with a red sun at the center. The rear wall of the hall is also painted with a qilin (mythical unicorn). The back walls of the rear hall and the viewing platform are similarly embellished with dragon and phoenix motifs.

The upper-floor chamber of the rear hall is known as the dressing or grooming tower. On both sides, there are 18 stone steps leading from bottom to top. Though called a three-story building, it is roughly equivalent to four stories in height. The foundation consists of two large square stones at the base, with stone pillars erected from bottom to top to serve as structural supports. The corridor in front of the tower is upheld by transverse stone columns. The upper level has double beams, brick flooring, and an additional layer of wooden beams beneath for reinforcement, making the structure very sturdy. The main hall of the tower not only enshrines the Goddess of the Sea but also includes a room on the right wing furnished with a precious bed, adorned with cloud curtains, embroidered quilts, pillows, wardrobes, armchairs, washbasins, and more — resembling the private quarters where the goddess would reside. A plaque reading “Peaceful Seas” hangs above the tower, with couplets on both sides that read: “First to catch the dawn before the fifth watch; Already sense autumn in the sixth month.” These phrases highlight the tower’s majestic presence and lead directly to the front gate. The two corridors contain 18 rooms, each housing one of 18 deities such as the God of Favorable Winds and the Goddess of Childbirth. The entire temple complex comprises over 30 rooms.

On both sides of the entrance are two tea pavilions. In the central courtyard, large stone jars hold water from the village well, specifically used to brew tea for sailors disembarking from ships. The temple employs a single caretaker. In ancient times, it was rare for a small southern coastal village to have such a grand temple dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. While the divine powers may be beyond belief, the construction of this massive temple during the early Qing Dynasty — at the height of Zhanglin’s prosperity and situated by the bustling Nanshe Harbor, crowded with ships — reflects the strong aspirations of the people of Zhanglin to conquer the waves, develop maritime trade, and seek protection at sea. It served as a vital spiritual pillar for seafarers and stands as a testament to the flourishing maritime trade of Zhanglin. Today, the Tianhou Temple in Zhanglin is a key cultural relic site under the joint protection of the three counties of Chaoshan, Chenghai, and Raoping. The number of returning overseas Chinese and tourists visiting the Tianhou Shengmu Temple continues to grow.

Lin Mo, also known as Mo Niang, is affectionately called “Auntie,” “Goddess Mother,” 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 of the Song Dynasty (960 AD) into an official family on Meizhou Island in Putian County, she never cried from birth until she was one month old, hence her name “Mo” (“Silent”), also called “Mo Niang.” Her great-grandfather, Baoji, served as a military commander under the Zhou Dynasty but later resigned and lived in seclusion on Meizhou. Her grandfather, Fu, inherited the family’s honors and served as the Fujian Regional Commander. Her father, Yuan, held the position of Coastal Patrol Inspector of Fujian in the early Song Dynasty. Lin Mo was exceptionally intelligent; at the age of eight, she could grasp the gist of texts while studying with a tutor. As she grew older, she enjoyed chanting scriptures and worshipping Buddha. She... [More details about Lin Mo]++