BEIJING: Police stations in southeastern China have invited the sea goddess Mazu to mediate conflicts among locals, proving to be exceptionally effective.
More than 10 police stations in Putian county, within the coastal province of Fujian – where Mazu legends originated – have established mediation rooms in her name since 2019.
A police officer informed the Chinese media outlet Jimu News that the Mazu mediation room has been “very effective” in resolving disputes.
With Mazu’s portrait overseeing the discussions, locals felt discouraged from being dishonest, fostering mutual trust as the public believed that police officers would also remain impartial in her presence.
God is watching
Mazu, known as Tin Hau in Hong Kong, is a sea goddess widely venerated in coastal regions of China and among Chinese communities in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
According to legend, she was born more than 1,000 years ago in Fujian as a mortal named Lin Mo. She possessed the ability to predict the weather and safeguard fishermen and sailors from calamities.
She perished while attempting to rescue victims of shipwrecks, after which she ascended to Heaven and became a deity.
The beliefs and customs surrounding Mazu were recognised as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by Unesco in 2009.
In mainland China, Mazu is also assigned an identity number and an ID document, allowing her statue to travel by train and plane to bless worshippers from around the globe.
A resident of Quanzhou, also in Fujian, shared that locals revere the deity so deeply that they “dare not lie in front of her”.
An old Chinese saying goes, “There are gods three feet above your head”, implying that people should behave because “God is watching”.
An online observer recounted an incident where they were nearly charged more for breakfast by a guest house owner in Fujian. However, when they requested the owner to swear to Mazu to ensure honest pricing, the owner said nothing and ultimately charged less.
Goddess of good luck
In modern times, Mazu is seen not only as the protector of seafarers but also as a symbol of good fortune.
Travellers who find themselves seated next to Mazu’s statues are considered fortunate.
Last year, a man who sat beside a Mazu statue on a flight from Shanghai to Yantai in eastern China’s Shandong province happened to be a Chinese sailor, a magical coincidence that amazed many online.
Chinese actress Liu Tao, who convincingly portrayed Mazu in a 2012 television drama, is regarded by many locals as a manifestation of the goddess herself.
Some residents in Fujian display photographs of Liu to worship her, while others visit her social media accounts seeking her blessings. - South China Morning Post
