The Historical Dissemination And Geographic Distribution Of Mazu Culture In Pan-Bohai Area

The belief of Mazu dated from the Northern Song Dynasty in Meizhou Island, Fujian. At the beginning, it was the belief of a maritime goddess, a safeguard goddess of the navigation in people's minds. The great progress of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties provided the advantageous conditions for the dissemination of the Mazu belief. Such as the trade on the sea between the South and the North, the development of ocean shipping and overseas trade, the conferment of envoys and the voyage on the sea, especially many times of conferring titles to Mazu by the emperors of different times.In view of lack of comprehensive study on the first Mazu temple in the North of China--Xianying Palace in Temple Island, which had great influence in this area and occupied a decisive position in the process of the Mazu Belief's dissemination to northern China, and lack of whole and systematic studies on the dissemination and distribution of Mazu Culture in Pan-Bohai Area with Xianying Palace in Temple Island as the radiated center, based on the former researches, with the dissemination and distribution of Mazu Culture as the object, with Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasty as the historical sequence, this thesis roundly and systematically investigates the problems about the dissemination and distribution of Mazu Culture in Pan-Bohai Area.This thesis mainly includes the following content: Firstly, the dissemination of Mazu Culture in Pan-Bohai Area, and the reasons in terms of politics, economy, culture and transportation. Secondly, the distribution of belief of Mazu in Pan-Bohai Area including the whole appearance of belief of Mazu as the maritime cultural heritage in this area and the activities of Mazu Belief in this area. Thirdly, the historical inheritance of Mazu Culture in Pan-Bohai Area including the present situation of the heritage of Mazu Culture and the activities of Mazu Culture in this area in recent years. Fourthly, the exploitation and protection of the heritage of Mazu culture including the problems and suggestions.According to analysis, this thesis draws the following preliminary conclusions:(1) By studying the geographic location and the significance of the Temple Island isles and Xianying Palace in Temple Island, as well as the conditions of politics, economy, culture and transportation in Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasty, this thesis draws the conclusion that the belief of Mazu in Pan-Bohai Area was spread by the maritime channel--Temple Island, which was the most important and central medium, tie and link in the process of the dissemination of Mazu Belief between the South and the North in China.(2) According to analyzing the historical process of the dissemination of Mazu Belief in Pan-Bohai Area, combined with the geographic distribution table and the geographic distribution picture of Mazu temples in Pan-Bohai Area, this thesis draws the conclusion that it is in Northern Song Dynasty that Mazu temple was first established in Pan-Bohai Area and the first station to northern China is Temple Island. Moreover, the Mazu temples in Tianjin area were built in Yuan Dynasty, in Hebei area were built mostly in Ming Dynasty, and in Liaoning area in Qing Dynasty. Secondly, in terms of geographic distribution, there are a large number of Mazu temples in Pan-Bohai Area, and the distribution is wide. Besides, the Mazu temples lie mainly in seaboard and places where rivers converge. Thirdly, in terms of the times of construction, there is the situation that the newly-built and repaired Mazu temples existed at the same time, which reflects people's worship to Mazu. Fourthly, there are many cases in this area that Mazu temple was assembly hall or people placed Mazu statues in the assembly hall for offering sacrifice. The combination of Mazu temple and assembly hall accounts for the relation between Mazu temples and business economy.(3) Considering the present situation of Mazu cultural heritage, we should protect and exploit Mazu temples with great value, collect and sort out various data of Mazu Culture, organize various Mazu cultural activities, and well manage the Mazu temples.