Quanzhou Treasure Zhenwu Temple: This "Poseidon" became a "traffic star" during the Song and Yuan Dynasties - China News Network Video

　　The ancients never stopped conquering the unknown ocean territory, but they were also accompanied by infinite awe of the mystery of the sea.

"Riding in a boat and walking on a horse are three points of fate." In ancient times, people who traveled on the sea entrusted their lives to the gods.

Various sea rituals are often held to pray for the safety of ships going back and forth.

　　Zhenwu Temple, located at the mouth of Jinjiang River, is known as the "First Palace of Xuantian God in Eighth Fujian". This Taoist temple is located on Stone Mountain in Quanzhou, from where you can overlook Quanzhou Bay.

Historically, this area was the famous Fashi Port, with convenient transportation, dense docks, and busy shipping.

　　During the Song and Yuan Dynasties, Zhenwu Temple was a place to worship the second-generation sea god "Emperor Zhenwu" in Quanzhou. It is close to Jiangkou Pier and is along the main road from the ancient city eastward to Houzhu Port, making it convenient for merchants to worship at sea.

From the 10th to the 14th century, with the prosperity of Quanzhou Port, Emperor Zhenwu's function as a sea god became more prominent. Together with King Tongyuan, Mazu and other sea god beliefs, he provided spiritual sustenance for merchants engaged in maritime trade.

The sea god belief carried by Zhenwu Temple was an important spiritual sustenance for merchant groups engaged in maritime trade during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. It was also a place for Quanzhou officials to worship the sea. It is a representative heritage element that embodies the management guarantee of the world ocean trade center.

　　To this day, the "Swallowing the Sea" stone tablet that juts out of the ground like a turtle's back in front of Zhenwu Temple is still impressive: "Emperor Zhenwu's majestic appearance can swallow the sea." "I hope the sea will not swallow ships, but ships can swallow the sea." Regardless of Either explanation can reveal the ambition and vivid portrayal of the ancient Quanzhou people in conquering the sea.

Editor in charge: [Ren Shuai]