Figure of the goddess Tian Hou
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Object number04900
TitleFigure of the goddess Tian Hou
DescriptionThis painted wooden statue is said to represent the Chinese goddess Tian Hou. It was rescued from Kowloon Bay (in northern Hong Kong) after the terrible typhoon of September 1874. The goddess is richly dressed in golden robes, sitting on her throne.
Tian Hou (also known as Matsu) is the goddess of the sea. The Chinese were great explorers – they even invented the magnetic compass – but sea travel was a dangerous and unpredictable business. It is no surprise that seamen and fishermen looked to a higher power for protection. They often had small shrines to the goddess on their ships, to ensure a safe journey.
According to legend, Tian Hou was once a real woman called Lin Mo, who lived on the coast in Fujian during the 10th century. She is said to have saved her fishermen father and brothers from drowning during a great storm. Some stories say she walked on the waves and hauled their boats to safety; others add that she later flew to a mountain top to be with the gods.
Tian Hou is still seen as the protector of those who depend on the sea for a living - some boats carry small statues even today. She is worshipped along the coast of China, in Hong Kong and Macau, but especially in Taiwan, where they celebrate her festival during the 3rd lunar month, usually sometime in April. There are in fact more than 1,500 temples dedicated to Tian Hou all over the world.
Production placeChina,
Object nameFigure