The launch ceremony of a month-long celebration honoring the sea goddess Mazu was held on March 29 on Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A month-long celebration honoring the sea goddess Mazu has recently commenced on Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian province.

The event will run until the end of April.

During the launch ceremony on March 29, nearly 10,000 devotees gathered in Meizhou to pay tribute to Mazu, a revered sea goddess worshipped on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Over 30 folk performance groups from various regions also paid their respects to Mazu.

Among the performances were dragon dance teams, lion dance teams, English song and dance groups, chest drum dance performers and martial arts teams.

The launch ceremony of a month-long celebration honoring the sea goddess Mazu was held on March 29 on Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yu Jianzhong, executive vice-president of the China Mazu Cultural Exchange Association, emphasized the event's role in promoting exchanges across the Taiwan Strait and enhancing global interactions.

"Mazu culture serves as a bridge in cross-Strait relations, fostering emotional connections and mutual understanding. Additionally, it is also an important part of Chinese culture, helping the world get to know China better and encouraging international cultural exchanges," Yu said.

The 23rd day of the third month on the Chinese calendar marks Mazu's birthday. Each year, devotees from different regions respectfully invite the spirit of Mazu back to the ancestral temple on Meizhou Island for incense offerings.

For centuries, Mazu culture has been passed down through generations and now spans 50 countries and regions, with thousands of Mazu temples worldwide.

The launch ceremony of a month-long celebration honoring the sea goddess Mazu was held on March 29 on Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Mazu statues from across the world were brought home to their origin. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Cao and his wife, from Taiwan, paid tribute to Mazu at the ceremony on March 29 on Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]