Longyan Xipi Tianhou Palace

　　Situated in Xipi Village, Gaopi Township, Yongding. Construction began in the 21st year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1542) and was completed in the 1st year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1662). It is a brick-and-wood structure facing south and covering an area of 6,435 square meters. The complex consists of the main gate, stage, Grand Hall, and Dengyun Pavilion. The main architectural feature is the Tianhou Palace Pagoda, which stands over 40 meters tall with seven stories. Its base is constructed from dry-laid natural stone blocks, with thick earthen walls at the foundation—1.1 meters wide. The ground floor serves as the main hall, which is 6.5 meters high, 14.4 meters long, and 12 meters wide, supported by four large round wooden pillars that uphold the central weight of the pagoda. The main hall enshrines the Goddess of the Sea (Mazu). The second and third floors are surrounded by corridors, while the fourth and fifth floors are built with a combination of brick and wood, transitioning from a square to an octagonal shape. The sixth and seventh floors are reinforced with large round wooden pillars, featuring wooden plank walls. The topmost level has a gourd-shaped roof made of stacked fine ceramic jars. The towering pagoda reaches into the clouds, and its uppermost eaves are adorned with dozens of bronze bells that tinkle melodiously in the wind. Beneath the pagoda are 36 protective rooms. In front of the pagoda is a grand hall, and behind it lies the Dengyun Pavilion’s main hall and courtyard. At the entrance is a permanent semicircular, three-dimensional stage with ingenious architecture. Every year on the birthday of the Holy Mother, prayers and performances are held here, creating a lively atmosphere.

　　 Fujian, Longyan City

　　Lin Mo (960~987)　　Lin Mo, also known as Mo Niang, is affectionately called “Auntie,” “Goddess Mother,” or “Mazu” by the people. She was from Putian. Born on March 23 of the first year of the Jianlong reign during the Song Dynasty (960) into an official family on Meizhou Island, Putian County. She never cried from birth until she was one month old, hence her name “Mo” (meaning “silent”), also called “Mo Niang.” Her great-grandfather Baoji served as a military commander under the Zhou Dynasty but resigned and retired to Meizhou. Her grandfather Fu inherited the family’s honors and served as the Fujian Regional Commander. Her father Yuan was an official patrol inspector of Fujian in the early Song Dynasty. Mo Niang was exceptionally intelligent—by 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 practicing Buddhism. She was highly skilled in medicine, often treating illnesses and teaching people how to prevent epidemics and disasters. She was also well-versed in... Details+