Mazu is believed to be a real historical figure, born in 960 CE during the Northern Song dynasty in a small fishing village in Fujian Province, China.
For the first month after her birth, she never cried—not even once—so she was named Lin Moniang, meaning “the silent girl of the Lin family.”

From a young age, she possessed remarkable intelligence.
At the age of sixteen, she was guided by a divine revelation and received a bronze talisman said to grant her spiritual power.
Using these powers, she traveled from place to place, driving away disasters and evil spirits, healing the sick, and protecting the vulnerable.
People came to revere her as the “Spirit Maiden of Profound Insight.”

Over time, Mazu became worshipped not only as a goddess of the sea and protector of sailors, but also as a deity who safeguards people from natural disasters, epidemics, and thieves.
Her compassion and miracles spread beyond China to all of Asia, where she came to be regarded as a guardian who protects human life from all forms of hardship—not just those at sea.

Flanking Baby Mazu in this artwork are Qianliyan (Clairvoyant) and Shunfeng’er (Keen-Hearing), two divine guardians.
Though originally malevolent spirits, they were transformed by Mazu’s compassion and became her loyal attendants.

Qianliyan, with a blue face and horns, can see great distances and even glimpse the future.

Shunfeng’er, with a red face and horns, can detect even the faintest signs of evil or mischief.

Together, they represent the power to see all dangers and hear all warnings, ensuring that no harm approaches those under Mazu’s protection.