The annual pilgrimages taken from Matsu temples to Chaotian Temple (朝天宮) in Yunlin County’s Beigang Township (北港), one of the most recognized ancient temples of its kind in Taiwan, was designated as a cultural heritage asset of national importance on Saturday last week.
The Beigang Matsu pilgrimages, as well as their cultural and religious significance, represent nationwide and cross-regional diversity, Minister of Culture Shih Che (史哲) was quoted as saying in a press release by the Ministry of Culture.
The ministry said that all participants in a review meeting of Taiwanese folklore practices agreed to upgrade the status of the pilgrimages, currently “Yunlin County-designated folk customs.”
Photo: Huang Shu-li, Taipei Times
An official announcement would be made soon, the ministry said, adding that the Beigang Chaotian Temple, established in about 1700 in Yunlin County, would be recognized as the activity’s preserver.
The decision would also make the temple, which hosts millions of Matsu worshippers forming 3,000 pilgrimage groups each year, the first entity in Taiwan responsible for maintaining two cultural heritage assets of national importance.
In 2011, the temple was tasked with preserving the annual Beigang Matsu procession on the 19th and 20th days of the third lunar month, where the statue of the sea goddess is carried by a palanquin across Yunlin County.
Matsu, also known as Tian Hou (Queen of Heaven), is a deity who has been worshipped since at least the 12th century.
Originating from China’s Fujian Province, Matsu was a shamaness believed to have special powers in protecting fishermen and seafarers.
Over the centuries, the worshipping of Matsu spread through China’s coastal regions and in overseas Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. Belief in Matsu was brought to Taiwan by early Chinese settlers and is still widely held.
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