October 4, the Double Ninth Festival, is also the anniversary of the ascension of Mazu, the goddess of peace at sea.
On the afternoon of the same day, a sea sacrifice ceremony to commemorate the 1035th anniversary of Mazu's ascension to heaven was held on Meizhou Island, Putian, Fujian.
Representatives of many Mazu cultural institutions at home and abroad gathered in Meizhou to celebrate the grand event.
The drums blared in unison, the drums were beaten three times, the salutes rang out, and the conch shells rang.
The main sacrificial person and the accompany sacrificial people perform three kneeling and nine kowtow rituals according to the sacrificial ceremony.
The officiant read out the congratulatory text and offered three salutes.
Afterwards, the main sacrificer and the accomplices performed the release ceremony to pay homage to Mazu.
This sea festival has added a new section of sacrifice and praise.
The host recited the Ode to Mazu's merits and virtues compiled by the master of Chinese studies, showing the story of Mazu from birth to growth to ascension to heaven and 36 awards.
The reporter learned that Mazu is known as the "Guardian of the Sea". In 2009, "Mazu Beliefs and Customs" was included in the "Representative List of Human Intangible Cultural Heritage" by UNESCO.
(Reporter Wu Shengwei part of the video source: Putian Radio and Television Station)
Responsible editor: [Wang Kai]