Manifestation Anniversary (Birthday) of Ma Zu (天上聖母華誕)

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Ma Zu aka Tian Shang Sheng Mu or Royal Empress of the Heaven or Lord Empress of the Sea, real name known as Lin Mo or Lin Mo Niang, a female Taoist Deity that assist the Heavenly Realm to look after the Mortals while they are out in the Sea.

According to Taoist Records, Ma Zu was born in Song Dynasty and her hometown was in Hokkien Province Heng Hwa Area.
On this Day, the Taoists or Chinese will tend to visit Temples that being dedicated to Tai Yang Xing Jun to pay respect in early Morning, usually during the timing of Sun-rise.

Till today, on the Anniversaries of Ma Zu, most Taoists & Chinese will visit the Ancestral Temple of Ma Zu in her hometown to pay their respect.
For overseas Hokkiens and some of the Lin Clan, they will make trip back to Heng Hwa Area to pay respect to Ma Zu (cos the Lin Clan consider Ma Zu as their Ancestor).

Back to main point, on the 23rd Day of Lunar 3 Month (農曆三月二十三日), it is considered as the Manifestation Anniversary or so-called Birthday of Ma Zu (for Year 2008, it falls on 28 April).

And so, what to prepare?

According to our Chinese Custom & Folks Practice, here are some recommended items to be prepared for the paying respect:

1 Five Oranges (桔子)
2 Longevity Noodles (壽麵)
3 Longevity Peaches (壽桃)
4 Ang Ku Kueh (紅龜粿)
5 Huat Kueh (發糕)
6 Rice Wine (米酒)
7 Chinese Tea (茶)
8 Paper Offerings (紙料)
9 Candles (蠟燭)
10 Flowers or Lotus (鮮花或蓮花)

Once all these stuffs are prepared and ready, then one self can proceed to the Temple.

1st, pay respect to the Heaven & Main Deities in the Temple and then last, proceed to the Altar that honoured Ma Zu.

Make a Bow in front of the Altar and then sincerely kneel down and proceed with the following Passage (for those who know how to recite the Bao Gao of Ma Zu):


今逢。
Jin Feng.

天上聖母媽祖。(拜)
Tian Shang Sheng Mu Ma Zu (Bow)

千秋聖誕之期。
Qian Qiu Sheng Dan Zhi Qi.

南洋新加坡共和國。 (你的住址) 。
Nan Yang Xin Jia Po Gong He Guo. (Your Address)

信士 (你的名字) 。及闔家同人。
Xin Shi (Your Name). Ji He Jia Tong Ren.

於此。
Yu Ci

虔備薄禮酒儀。
Qian Bei Bo Li Jiu Yi.

敬向。
Jing Xiang.

天上聖母媽祖。(拜)
Tian Shang Sheng Mu Ma Zu (Bow)

虔誠請安。慶賀聖誕。
Qian Cheng Qing An. Qing He Sheng Dan.

於此虔祈。
Yu Ci Qian Qi.

天上聖母媽祖。(拜)
Tian Shang Sheng Mu Ma Zu (Bow)

天下生靈得福佑。上天憐憫災厄除。
Tian Xia Sheng Ling De Fu You. Shang Tian Lian Min Zai E Chu

聖顯閩州助萬民。母慈降福人人受。
Sheng Xian Min Zhou Zhu Wan Min. Mu Ci Jiang Fu Ren Ren Shou

以佑。
Yi You.

信士 (你的名字) 。及闔家同人。
Xin Shi (Your Name). Ji He Jia Tong Ren.

一年平安常在。月月福佑不怠。
Yi Nian Ping An Chang Zai. Yue Yue Fu You Bu Dai.

四季聖光普照。萬事遂心安在。
Si Ji Sheng Guang Pu Zhao. Wan Shi Sui Xin An Zai.

於此。
Yu Ci.

信士 (你的名字) 。及闔家同人。
Xin Shi (Your Name). Ji He Jia Tong Ren.

敬向。
Jing Xiang.

天上聖母媽祖。(拜)
Tian Shang Sheng Mu Ma Zu (Bow)

獻三拜三叩禮。
Xian San Bai Li.

一拜。再拜。三拜。禮成。(起立)
Yi Bai. Zai Bai. San Bai. Li Cheng (Raise)

After rising, make another sincere Bow and then left the spot.

After about 15 minutes, retrieve the Paper-offerings and then burn them off.

Once the Paper-offerings are being burnt, go back to the Altar, make another sincere Bow and then retrieve back the Offerings, bring them back home and share with the other members in the Family.

And so, the whole Paying Respect to Ma Zu is considered end.

PS: Introduction on Ma Zu:
http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/102

Poster of Ma Zu:

http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/47