Devotees celebrate birth of sea goddess

Thousands of devotees from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered on Friday in Meizhou, a seaside resort in Putian of Fujian province, to celebrate the 1,063rd anniversary of the birth of Mazu — a revered goddess of the sea — and pray for peace.

The goddess, who safeguards fishermen's lives and is widely respected in both Fujian and Taiwan, lies at the heart of numerous beliefs and customs, including oral traditions, religious ceremonies and folk practices.

The event brought over 800 Taiwan people, among a large number of worshippers from all over the world, to pay homage to the goddess on the island of Meizhou, which is believed to be the birthplace of Mazu.