Introduction on Black-face Ma Zu (黑面三媽之由來)

  Another 2 Days, it will be the Manifestation Anniversary of Empress Lord Ma Zu. In here, I will like to use this Opportunity to do a quick intro on the Manifestation Form of Empress Lord Ma Zu (天上聖母媽祖) - The Black Face Ma Zu aka Hei Mian San Ma (黑面三媽).

Alot of People had been wondering why is there a Ma Zu that got a Black Face. In Folks Belief, there are quite a number of saying, one of them is, due to the Fuming from the Incenses and other said that, due to the Oil-stain sticking to Ma Zu's statue while one of the Statue fell into the Sea.

In here, I will like to do a introduction on the Origin of how Ma Zu got a Black Face, here it goes:

One Year, in Ming Dynasty, while Ma Zu was traveling around to perform her Salvation Task, suddenly Qian Li Yan (千里眼) & Shun Feng Er (順風耳) inform her that, in somewhere near Fu Jian Province (中國福建省), a Dark Haze was covering the Air On-top of the Province.

Without hesitation, Ma Zu and the 2 Spiritual Assistants made their Way to Fu Jian Province.

Upon reaching, after some investigation, Qian Li Yan & Shun Feng Er found out that the Dark Haze was emitted out from somewhere near Mountain Wu Yi (武夷山 now known as the Famous Mountain for Hokkien Tea). After getting the info, Ma Zu transformed herself into a Village-girl and then proceed to Mountain Wu Yi to do her closer investigation.

By the time when she reached Mountain Wu Yi, she call-upon the Earth Deity (土地神) to check on what had happened in this Area for the past period. Upon getting the Summoning-order, Earth Deity had to come out and report to Ma Zu on the whole Incident.

The Incident goes like that:

Few Months ago, after a Strong Thunder Storm, a Black Demon fell from the Heaven into a Cave in Mountain Wu Yi. From then, Mountain Wu Yi keep emitting out a Gust of Black Haze. Whenever the Commoners come near to the Mountain to do their Plantation-job, their Face will turned Black after in-haling the Black Haze. Since after the Commoners' face turned Black, no one dare to come into the Premises of Mountain Wu Yi. From then, Mountain Wu Yi's Plantation was seriously affected.

After Ma Zu knew of the result of this Black Haze, she appointed Qian Li Yan & Shun Feng Er to stay guard in the Air ans Ma Zu herself will entered into the Mountain to subdue the Demon.

Just before she entered into the Mountain, Ma Zu changed turned her face into Black Color, this is a trick to lead the Demon into her trap.

After entering into the Premises and somewhere nearby the Cave, Ma Zu called out Tragically. Soon, a Gust of Strong Wind blew towards Ma Zu. With her Heavenly Eyes, Ma Zu saw the Demon and without any hesitation, Ma Zu transform back to her Original Form and fight with the Demon.

Upon knowing that Ma Zu was a Heavenly Deity, the Demon didnt dare to delay in the Battling, just as the Demon was about to return into the Cave, Qian Li Yan & Shun Feng Er descended down from the Heaven and captured the Demon.

Soon after the Demon was captured to the front of Ma Zu, the Demon changed itself back to its Original Form - a Black Tortise. From then, the Black Tortise vowed to stay by Ma Zu's side to assist her while she was on the Sea performing her Salvation Tasks and eliminating of Demons & Negative Entities.

Due to this incident was being spreaded around by those who witnessed the capturing of the Black Demon. From then, the Commoners dedicated Statue to Ma Zu with a Black Face and Stepping on Black Tortise.

Summary

Due to this Background, in Myth Taoism, Black Face Ma Zu was known as the Military form of Ma Zu that fight against Devil, Demon & Negative Entities. Usually at home, we dont Honoured her unless, certain special Cases permitted for Black Face Ma Zu to arrive.

In the past, there were People dreamt of Black Face Ma Zu stepping on the Tortise, but whenever such Dreams appeared, the Area tend to engage into Disasters. Not that Ma Zu bring in the Mis-fortune, but actually Ma Zu is there to advise the People. Due to misunderstand, from then, alot of People dont honour her.