Renowned actress Liu Tao gifts longevity peaches to the Mazu statue on Saturday on the goddess' birthday. [Photo provided for chinadaily.com.cn]

Renowned actress Liu Tao appeared in classical attire on Meizhou Island in Putian, Fujian province, on Sunday to join the celebration of the birth anniversary of Mazu, the sea deity worshiped in the coast she once portrayed in a TV drama.

Liu, 46, was named the global ambassador for Mazu culture promotion on Saturday. She is seen by netizens as a living Mazu for her role as the goddess in the hit TV series broadcast in 2013. When filming the role in Meizhou, she had previously visited Mazu temple to pray for blessings.

Renowned actress Liu Tao is named the global ambassador for Mazu culture promotion on Saturday. [Photo provided for chinadaily.com.cn]

On Saturday night, during the ceremony counting down the 1,065th anniversary of Mazu's birth, Liu presented longevity peaches to the statue in the ancestral temple in Meizhou.

During the event, thousands of Mazu devotees from around the world gathered. At around 11:30 pm, Liu, dressed in classical folk clothes, walked slowly into the main hall of the temple. Holding the longevity peaches, she showed great reverence by bowing three times to the statue of Mazu to express her respect.

People pay respect to Mazu at the ancestral temple on Meizhou Island, Fujian province. [Photo provided for chinadaily.com.cn]

Meizhou Island is the hometown of Lin Mo, the original form of Mazu, who sacrificed herself to protect fishermen at sea. She later became a guardian deity in folk beliefs, spreading this cultural phenomenon worldwide alongside those who make a living at sea.

People gather in Meizhou to count down the 1,065th anniversary of Mazu's birth. [Photo provided for chinadaily.com.cn]

Currently, Mazu culture has taken root in 50 countries and regions, with tens of thousands of temples established. Every year during Mazu's birthday, devotees from around the world return to Meizhou to worship the deity.