The Matsu Temple in Tainan is dedicated to Matsu; goddess of the sea. Mazu (Wade-Giles: Matsu; Vietnamese: Ma To) is the indigenous goddess of the sea who is said to protect fishermen and sailors; and is invoked as the patron saint of all Southern Chinese and East Asian persons.

Born as Lin Moniang in Fujian around 960 CE; worship of Mazu began around the Ming Dynasty; when many temples dedicated to her were erected all across Mainland China; later spreading to other countries with Overseas Chinese populations.

Mazu is widely worshipped in the south-eastern coastal areas of China and neighbouring areas in Southeast Asia; especially Zhejiang; Fujian; Taiwan; Guangdong; and Vietnam; all of which have strong sea-faring traditions; as well as migrant communities elsewhere with sizeable populations from these areas.

Mazu also has a significant influence on East Asian sea culture; especially in China and Taiwan.

Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan. The town was initially established by the Dutch East India Company as a ruling and trading base called Fort Zeelandia during the period of Dutch rule on Taiwan. After Dutch colonists were defeated by Koxinga in 1661; Tainan remained as the capital of the Tungning Kingdom until 1683 and afterwards the capital of Taiwan prefecture under the rule of the Qing Dynasty until 1887; when the new provincial capital was moved to Taipei. Pictures From Asia David Henley