Mazu (媽祖) was the goddess of the sea and patron goddess of sailors, fishermen, and traveler&rsqu

Mazu (媽祖) was the goddess of the sea and patron goddess of sailors, fishermen, and traveler’s in Chinese mythology. She was born on the 23rd of March 906 to a poor family of fisherman. According to legend she did not cry, or shed a tear when she was born and never gained the ability to talk. So she was named Lin Moniang (Mò Niáng) meaning ‘silent girl’ or silent young female.’ Mazu also had the mysterious ability to predict the weather and would often warn others not to make journeys to the sea. She was even believed to be a strong swimmer and would often rescue people from the sea even in the harshest weather. There are at least two versions of her death. One legend tells that Mazu went out into the sea during a storm to try to find her lost father. Hours passed but still she could not find her father and later died of exhaustion. Another legend tells that Mazu climbed a mountain alone and flew into the heavens and became a goddess. In art, she is often depicted wearing bright red robes laced with shining jewels that help her be more easily seen by traveler’s at sea. Mazu is now generally regarded by her believers as a powerful and benevolent ‘Queen of Heaven.’(Elie Saab Fall 2019 Haute Couture Collection) -- source link

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