Legend has it that Mazu, born in 960 A.D., was called Mo (silence) because she never cried until one month old. When she was 16, a celestial being gave her a bronze talisman, and from then on she grew in supernatural powers and visdom. Mo ended her life at age 27 and her spirit appeared to floundering ships and guided them to safe haven. Grateful fishmen worshipped her as the goddess of the sea.

Mazu now becomes a tie linking the mainland and Taiwan, and has aroused the interest of the world. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around the world, especially from Taiwan, flock to Meizhou Island each year to visit the temple and worship small statues of the goddess. In 2002, China held an International Mazu Cultural Tour Festival from April 29th to May 6th to show special religious services and displays of Mazu arts and culture.