"The Strongest Mazu in Taiwan: Mazu Culture Exhibition"

Exhibition Name: “The Strongest Taiwan Mazu - Mazu Culture Exhibition” Exhibition Dates: 2027/1/1 (Fri) - 2027/04/06 (Tue) Closed for one day on Chinese New Year’s Eve, 2027/2/5 (Fri) Exhibition Hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00-18:00 (Ticket sales and entry stop at 17:00) Exhibition Venue: Taipei Expo Park Fashion Flower Pavilion (No. 1, Yumen St., Yuanshan St., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City 10491)

The Strongest Taiwan Mazu - Mazu Culture Exhibition

Departing from the sea, stepping into the world of Mazu along the trail of incense From Lin Moniang of Meizhou to the Mazu familiar to the Taiwanese people; from one bustling temple after another to lively street pilgrimages and incense-offering processions, the Mazu faith has spanned a thousand years, deeply embedding itself into the lives of the Taiwanese people. “The Strongest Taiwan Mazu - Mazu Culture Exhibition” centers on the Mazu culture of Beigang Chaotian Temple. Starting from the origins of the faith, visitors will learn about Beigang’s century-old incense traditions, pilgrimages, and procession cultures, explore sedan chairs, deity statues, and traditional crafts, and experience a combination of interactive elements and immersive imagery that introduces Mazu from diverse perspectives. In the hearts of the Taiwanese people, Mazu holds profound weight. The faith has long since integrated into daily life, linking temples, crafts, localities, human warmth, and public welfare to form a unique cultural landscape in Taiwan. From the formations and rituals of a pilgrimage to every intricate detail on the deity’s sedan chair; from the legends passed down by word of mouth to the centuries-old incense that continues to burn, the exhibition allows you to witness facets of Mazu culture different from what is seen in daily life. A legend, a temple, a pilgrimage, a sedan chair—these weave together people’s wishes for peace, family, and safe journeys. Departing from Meizhou, stepping into Beigang, and following the flow of incense all the way to the world. Step into the exhibition to understand Mazu and rediscover a faith familiar to the people of Taiwan.

Exhibition Area 1 | Origin of Vows

From a Meizhou Maiden to the Protector of the Seas

Where Did Mazu Come From?

The story begins in Meizhou. From the legend of Lin Moniang and the maritime life of Meizhou to people’s prayers for safe voyages and family well-being, explore the initial appearance of the Mazu faith. This section takes you from “Lin Moniang” to understand how a young girl living by the sea gradually became known as Mazu to the people, and why this faith has been passed down for a millennium and spread everywhere.

Exhibition Area 2 | Veins of Incense

Century-Old Incense, Stepping into Beigang Why Does Everyone Come to Beigang for Pilgrimage? Step into Beigang Chaotian Temple and see how a single temple became the spiritual center of a city. From Beigang pilgrimages and temple architecture to deity statues, carvings, paintings, and ritual implements, this section introduces the century-old accumulation of faith stories at Beigang Chaotian Temple and showcases how traditional artisans pass down these details from generation to generation.

Exhibition Area 3 | Resonance

A City-Wide Mazu Pilgrimage Just How Lively is a Mazu Procession? At the sound of a cannon and the beating of gongs and drums, the entire town of Beigang springs to life! From the route herald (Bao Ma Zai), divine generals, and performance troupes to accompanying believers, this section helps you understand how the Beigang Mazu procession is organized, what each role does, and what happens along the way during Mazu’s inspection tour. View the complete procession map, get to know the pilgrimage contingent, and fully understand how a Mazu pilgrimage moves forward from start to finish.

Exhibition Area 4 | Blessings

Crouching Under the Sedan Chair to Pray for Peace Why Does Everyone Want to Pass Under Mazu’s Sedan Chair? As soon as the deity’s sedan chair arrives, believers rush to crouch underneath it, all to bring Mazu’s blessings back home. Starting with the structure, craftsmanship, and decoration of Mazu’s sedan chair, this section introduces the intricacies behind it and allows visitors to personally walk underneath the sedan chair to experience the blessing ritual of “passing under the sedan chair.” View the sedan chair, understand the craftsmanship, pass underneath the sedan chair yourself, and bring peace home.

Exhibition Area 5 | Craftsmanship

How Much Craftsmanship is Hidden Within Religious Culture? How Are These Objects Made? From deity statue carving, painting, and gold leaf application to the wood carvings, stone carvings, and various decorations within a temple, a single temple conceals numerous details, with every stroke and every cut bearing people’s reverence for their faith. Discover the production process of deity statues and ritual implements, see how every single cut and brushstroke, every layer and color, is slowly completed, and understand how traditional artisans pass down their skills from generation to generation. From the architectural details of the temple to deity statues and ritual implements, this section shows you how the Mazu faith leaves tangible forms through craftsmanship.

Exhibition Area 6 | The Universe

Setting Out from Beigang, Mazu Walks Toward the World How Far Has Beigang’s Mazu Traveled? Mazu’s footsteps have long since extended beyond Beigang. Through maps and spiritual nodes, this section shows you how Mazu has followed people’s migrations, exchanges, and the branching of incense origins (fenling) into various parts of Taiwan and overseas. Departing from Beigang, following the route of flowing incense, witness temples, processions, and the Mazu faith distributed across the globe.

Exhibition Area 7 | Sacred Traces

Immersive Projection Theater | Step into Mazu’s Story Placing Mazu’s Story Directly Before Your Eyes. Three-sided projections plus floor projections extend Mazu’s story from the walls to your feet. From Mazu’s life, the Banquet of the Four Dragon Kings, and the homage of the Twenty-Four Officials to classic scenes such as the Beigang pilgrimage and the Beigang Mazu procession, step into an immersive journey belonging to Mazu through light, shadow, sound, and dynamic imagery. Stories are not just for watching; you can also step right into them.

Exhibition Area 8 | Prayer

Come Before Mazu and Pray for Peace for Yourself After Finishing This Mazu Journey, Don’t Forget to Share Your Wishes with Mazu. Starting from the religious culture of Beigang Chaotian Temple, the journey ultimately returns to the most direct connection between every individual and Mazu—prayer. Here, you can personally worship Mazu, draw fortune sticks, and cast divination blocks to pray for peace for yourself, your family, and important people in your life. Even if you are not in Beigang at this moment, you can still come before Mazu to voice your wishes, bringing a sense of reassurance and blessings back into your daily life. A stick of incense, a single wish—ask Mazu for peace.

Gift Shop | Affinity Connection

Bring Blessings Back to Daily Life After Finishing the Exhibition, Take Home a Mazu Blessing. Turn the Mazu, Beigang, and procession elements seen in the exhibition into daily objects you can take away. From university T-shirts, mobile phone lanyards, umbrellas, small tote bags, cups, to creative cultural products such as magnets, red envelopes, coasters, pendants, bracelets, phone pouches, and towels, pick a favorite and extend this Mazu journey into your daily routine. Finish the exhibition, buy a souvenir, and bring the blessings home together.