It's 1 May, Labour Day; and it coincides with Mazu's birthday. Mazu, by the way is a popular Chinese goddess and patron of the sea, revered by fisherman and sailors. Mazu, reportedly lived in the late 10th century in Meizhou Island, China. During her lifetime, she had dedicated herself to helping others. Her mother supposedly gave birth to her on the 23rd day of the third month of the Chinese lunar calendar after taking a pill purportedly given by the Goddess of Mercy. There are stories regarding Mazu's death; one claiming that she had died while attempting to rescue the survivors of a shipwreck while another said she died while meditating. After her death, a temple was built in her honour and she was venerated as a goddess.Today, there are over 200 million devotees worldwide and over 5,000 temples devoted to Mazu. Happy birthday, Mazu and Happy Labour Day!
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