The Matsu Temple on Chichin Island near Kaohsiung is dedicated to Matsu; goddess of the sea. Mazu (Wade-Giles: Matsu; Vietnamese: Ma To) is the indigenous goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors; and is invoked as the patron saint of all Southern Chinese and East Asian persons.

Born as Lin Moniang in Fujian around 960 CE; worship of Mazu began around the Ming Dynasty; when many temples dedicated to her were erected all across Mainland China; later spreading to other countries with Overseas Chinese populations.

Mazu is widely worshipped in the south-eastern coastal areas of China and neighbouring areas in Southeast Asia; especially Zhejiang; Fujian; Taiwan; Guangdong; and Vietnam; all of which have strong sea-faring traditions; as well as migrant communities elsewhere with sizeable populations from these areas. Pictures From Asia David Henley