A Study of Fujian-Taiwan Culture: Belief in Poseidon of Ancient Fujian Coastal Residents
Fujian is located in the southeast coast with developed shipping and transportation. In addition to Poseidon, the coastal residents also believe in Lady Linshui, Dragon God, Neigong, Chen and others. The activities of offering sacrifices to Poseidon are also varied. The belief in Poseidon of ancient Fujian coastal residents spread all over the world with the maritime activities of Fujian people. But this is not just the spread of folk beliefs. In fact, people all over the world not only accept the belief in the ancient Fujian sea god, but also inherit and carry forward the indomitable fighting spirit of Fujian people towards nature.
Fujian is located in the southeast coast, and its coastline ranks second in the country. Amin Gu said: "The sea is the land of Fujian people". According to research, Fujian has had an indissoluble bond with the ocean since human activities. Sailing and navigation, and the development of Fujian's maritime traffic have promoted the activities of Fujian coastal residents to believe in Poseidon. In the course of sailing, Tian Fei is the main sea god worshipped by people. Tian Fei is also called Tianhou, Tianmu and Tiannv, while Fujian and Taiwan Province provinces are usually called Mazu. Lin, Zi Mo Niang, is from Meizhou, Putian, Fujian. She was born during the Stegosaurus period in the Northern Song Dynasty and never got married. At the beginning, Wu Zhu was revered by the villagers. Because most people in Meizhou Island are engaged in sailing and shipbuilding, and sailing at sea is full of dangers, people often pray for the blessing of the gods. After Moline's death, she was regarded as the patron saint of navigation by local people. Because the feudal rulers attached great importance to maritime trade and gave it titles, Tian Fei's name was widely circulated. There are many records in the history of Fujian's trip to the West to worship Tian Fei, such as "flying to Wan Li is unpredictable; Xi Shu solemnly said that a group of hundreds of people were born, all of whom were bandits. So, according to public opinion, he prayed to the God of Tian Fei with the story of Fujian people; And the official ship roof is a matter of the temple. People on the boat will be very pious when they worship in the morning and evening. It's really like holding on to God. "Chen Kan, who crossed the sea from Fuzhou to Ryukyu during the Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty, described the sacrifice to Tian Fei during sailing. There are too many descriptions of Tian Fei belief in Fujian history. Just quote the above words to summarize the rest. But as far as the belief in the ancient Fujian Poseidon is concerned, there are other Poseidon beliefs besides the belief in Tian Fei. For example, "Mrs. Linshui" is also a sea god that people admire. Mrs. Linshui, whose common name is Chen Jinggu, is from Xiadu, Fuzhou. Legend has it that she was born in the Tang Dynasty and was later honored as the goddess of "helping the fetus to save lives, protecting the red and helping the child". But at the same time, she is in charge of rivers and is admired by boat people in Minjiang River Basin. During the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, Gao Cheng sent envoys to Ryukyu, most of whom were from Fujian. When the sea was in distress, people turned to the God of Tian Fei for help. After a while, Tian Fei put down the basket and said, "I have sent Mrs. Linshui to look after the boat for you. Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid! "After returning to Fuzhou, Gao Cheng happened to find Mrs. Linshui Temple outside Fuzhou Water Department and asked the Taoist in the temple. The Taoist said, "God is Tian Fei's sister. There is a miracle in life, but it is a daffodil who is not married, so here it is. "He also said," If there is sweat on God's face, you will know that he saved people from the sea. "Fujian people's worship of dragons can be traced back to the pre-Qin period. According to Shi Feng in Shuo Yuan, the natives at that time portrayed the image of dragons in order to avoid the harm of water monsters. After the Han Dynasty, with the Han nationality in the Central Plains moving south to Fujian, the dragon evolved into a dragon king and gradually became personalized. The Dragon King can not only dominate the rain, but also make waves, so the people are in awe of him. Sailors often think that the sea dragon king is at fault when encountering wind and waves, so they hold various sacrificial ceremonies to pray for the mercy and convenience of the sea dragon king. If you encounter "deep cracks on the seabed", you will think that it is because of the sea dragon king, and it will take a special ceremony to solve it. For example, Xie Jie, a native of Changle, wrote in the supplement of Ryukyu Records after Wanli: "The ark came and changed, and the sea suddenly cracked, which was unpredictable. The service veteran said: this dragon god welcomes the imperial edict. In a blink of an eye, the saliva is like a white tower, which can be dozens of feet high. Drooling, protruding Bai Hong, up to the surface of the sky, not more than a thousand feet of wings. If so, if there is a tripod, but the rainbow forms a black cloud everywhere, it can be full of acres and will be wide in a short time. Please stop the license, which makes people feel that it is illusory. I'm angry, scared and annoyed. At the invitation of public interests above all else, Yu began to write the book "Dragon God Exempts from the DPRK". When the card is stuck, it disappears into the sky and the saliva returns to the sea. "(2) Among the sea gods believed by ancient Fujian coastal residents, there is also a god called Neigong. It is said that "those who take the public take their mouths from the people of Fujian." After tasting Jia Xing, lying on the boat, I heard the Oracle say,' One day I will poison somewhere.' Wait for it. At the right time, if you see someone poisoning the water. Take water by referendum, eat it, and die. Take noodles as indigo, and then the land god. ..... and was awarded the title of "protecting the country, protecting the country and protecting the king". Those who are bound to be served by ships, because of the stone fog at sea, guide the clouds with magical power. ..... Min Renyun: Gong's surname is Bu, and he takes a boat by industry. For god, it's called the inner husband. "In the thirteenth year of Qing Jiaqing, Qi Kun, a post-DPRK official, was appointed as the ambassador to Ryukyu. Qi Kun started from Fuzhou, and his mission sailors mainly came from Fujian. After returning to China, Qi Kun introduced another patron saint of navigation-Chen Longwen, a senior minister, to the world in A Brief History of Ryukyu Kingdom. When he crossed the sea, there were two ships. Tian Fei and Neigong statues are enshrined in No.1 ship, and Shangshu statues are on No.2 ship. It reads: "On the same day, the No.2 ship was also hit by a storm, and hundreds of civil and military officials knocked on the statue of Shangshu to save Eritrea. According to the records in Shangshu, Shangshu's surname is Chen, whose first name is from Xinghua, Fujian. Song Xianchun four years, the court to the first, the official to the governor, knowing that Xinghua army was held hostage by thieves and refused to die. In the Ming dynasty, Lingxian, the rescue boat was sealed, and the Ministry of Water was sealed by ministers. The temple was built outside Nanguan, Fujian. It can be seen that Chen Ye was one of the sea gods worshipped by Fujian people at that time. In the fifth year of Tongzhi in Qing Dynasty, Zhao Xin of Min County was sent to Ryukyu. In this cross-sea chase, Zhao Xin and others not only offered sacrifices to Tian Fei, Neigong, Shangshu and other gods, but also offered sacrifices to Chen Su. According to Zhao Xin's "The Continuation of Ryukyu Kingdom", "Su Shen's real name is Biyun, and he is from Tongan County, Fujian Province. Born in the next season's apocalypse, I am happy to study and don't ask for official advancement. In his later years, he moved to the island and learned about the sea lanes. All the ships were guided to a safe place. After his death, there were many supernatural phenomena at sea, and soldiers and merchants' ships had to burn incense. Every year when I patrol the ocean in Fujian Province, I occasionally encounter danger. Once I pray, I will be safe. "In short, there were many beliefs about Poseidon in ancient Fujian. In addition, Mrs. Lin Shui, Dragon God, Neigong and Hehe are all responsible for the reception task of "Cihang Pudu". Obviously, in people's minds, the status of gods is equally important. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the activities of Fujian coastal residents to offer sacrifices to Poseidon mainly included: preparing Oracle offerings to pray for Poseidon, worshipping the Tian Fei Temple passing by, welcoming the gods and sending them aboard, praying for Poseidon during the voyage, making a vow to worship Poseidon, making a title for Poseidon after maritime affairs, writing temple inscriptions and temples, writing Poseidon's "spiritual monument" and donating money to build a temple in Tian Fei. According to records, usually before sailing, two oracles must be prepared to offer prayers to Poseidon. This precedent was set by Chen Kan in the 13th year of Jiajing. Chen Kan made Ryukyu feel more afraid of stormy waves, so he wrote to the court: "I beg the shrine code to repay my magic. In his recitation, he wrote: "I feel my advantages, so I dare not repay them generously." ... I hope I can be merciful. Is it possible that I will discuss it in detail? If his merits are rewarded, Fujian's chief secretary and altar will be sacrificed, the sky will be full of grace, and there will be light in the underworld. (3) Later, does not reply: "I can see that Chen Kan and others were sent overseas in the incident and were repeatedly threatened by storms, but fortunately they were saved. It is not impossible to say that Poseidon is effective, but offering sacrifices to him is also justified. In addition, the memorial written by the Hanlin Academy ordered the Chief Secretary of Fujian to prepare sacrifices and incense silks, and also entrusted court officials to make sacrifices in response to God. "(4) From then on, if you want to canonize Ryukyu, you must prepare the sea god prayer in advance." The Chief Secretary of Fujian was ordered to prepare two altars at the Shiguang Sea Temple: to pray for it when leaving; I'll pay it back on the day I return it. People who succeed in the future and continue to this day are examples. Avoid being confused for a while and making a fuss afterwards. If God listens, there will be a peaceful celebration. "(5) Oracle sacrifice to pray for Poseidon. Usually, after the candidate for the Ryukyu ambassador is confirmed, the Ministry of Ritual moves the article to the Hanlin Academy. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Oracle Bone Inscriptions's offerings and prayers to Poseidon were almost the same. The following are the words, prayers and reports to the sea god who made Ryukyu during the reign of Kangxi: Another important activity of sailing from Fujian is to make a pilgrimage to Tian Fei and other sea temples. All the temples you pass, such as Tian Fei, must burn incense. During Jiajing period of Ming Dynasty, when Gao Cheng and Chen Kan went to Fujian to prepare for Ryukyu, they were taught to pray for Tian Fei's blessing, saying that "the gods can forbid ominous". Gao Cheng and others, "from it. Anyone who practices incense will be sincere and respectful, and dare not neglect it. " ⑦ When Wang Ming went to Ryukyu during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in Qing Dynasty, "Xing Chi went to Fujian, and on June 20th, 2002, he ordered to offer sacrifices to the sea gods in Yishan Garden", also known as Tianfei Palace. Other messengers ordered a sacrifice to the heavenly princess, which should be. The only way to canonize Ryukyu is the stone light of Changle. There is also the "Stone Light Temple", where Tian Fei, the sea god, is also a temple. ..... This Yi Temple, which originated from Yan Pet-name ruby created by Yongle Prison in the western world, has made Ryukyu people go there to make incense. The envoys who arrived in Ryukyu from Fujian also followed the old practice and went to the Tianfei Palace in Ryukyu to burn incense. There are three Tianfei Palace in Ryukyu, the Xiatianfei Palace in the east of Naha Embassy and the Tianfei Palace in Kumi Village. There is also a place in Mi Shan. According to the literature, Ryukyu players in past dynasties went to Tianfei Palace to burn incense. According to Xu Baoguang's biography of Zhongshan, the day after the envoy arrived in Ryukyu, he went to the Confucius Temple to burn incense and then went to Tianfei Palace. Needless to say, the envoys paid more attention to Tian Fei and other sea gods while conferring Ryukyu and experiencing maritime risks. For example, after Li Dingyuan returned from Ryukyu, he just entered Humen, the fifth mouth of Minjiang River, and went to Yishanyuan to "buy a sheep and lick a dedicated sacrifice to Poseidon". Then the envoys tried their best to write a title to the court, please give Tian Fei a title, and explain their merits, spirituality and so on. Ryukyu sacrifice to Poseidon is more important than sailing. Tian Fei Hall must be set on the canonized ship to worship Poseidon. "When an envoy aboard, he must first welcome Tian Fei, serve him on the rudder upstairs, and worship him with the public. ".When Li Dingyuan went to Ryukyu," respectfully invited Tian Hou to board the ship like a statue with a statue of a male god and presented a gift of three kneeling and nine knocking. Qi Kun, who set up Ryukyu a few years later than Li Dingyuan, said, "The China Dynasty conferred the Ryukyu Kingdom, and invited Tianhou and Dagong to worship the No.1 ship and Shangshu to worship the No.2 ship. "After the ship was sealed and arrived in Ryukyu, all kinds of Poseidon who greeted and offered sacrifices to the ship" played drums, and the musical instrument was Tian Fei who greeted the ship and offered the position of Poseidon to Tianfei Palace to celebrate the new moon and look forward to the sun. "When the children return to Fujian after completing their mission, they still need to" take a picture of the day after Feng 'an and take the public to the old place "before they dare to rest. As can be seen from the above, the Ryukyu envoys in the Ming and Qing Dynasties worshipped Poseidon, the sea god. According to historical records, all previous voyages encountered risks. When hundreds of people's lives are tied to a boat struggling in stormy waves, helpless people can only beg Poseidon's "blessing". They are nothing more than burning incense to worship, calling for help from the gods, "bowing down", "sincerely praying, and chanting Buddha's name on the boat." Or "sit on the crown" and make a wish to the gods: if the gods show their spirits, "build a monument for them" and "play for them". Sometimes people "cut their hair and swear to ask God for help". During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Fujian was the legal port of Ryukyu, so all ships going to Ryukyu were built and sailed by Fujian, which made the belief of Poseidon in Ryukyu navigation become the belief of Poseidon in Fujian. For example, during the Chongzhen period, Du Sance encountered a storm when he made Ryukyu. It happened that someone on board bought Qin 'an, which was worth thousands of dollars. In other words, Qinan was promised to "donate sculptures and statues" to pray for peace. Zhang Xueli and others put Ryukyu in danger, "each has his own wishes and registers." Whenever you come back safely, your vows need to be "mended one by one", so-called "nothing to worry about." For example, Zhang Xueli wrote: "On the 25th, I went to the city to burn incense at the Tian Fei Temple. So with the generals, each promised money and served. " Sometimes, envoys dictate to the scribe to write "Tian Fei" and beg for blessings. People often make friends with kings, hoping to get inspiration from God. For example, when Chen Kan and Gao Cheng went to Ryukyu, there were "thousands of families in charge of the army, who were always happy to help Luan, and they urged them. Tian Fei put down the dustpan and wrote a poem on the ash, saying, "The fragrant wind stirs up the immortals in the sea, making you learn from others and be good at your mind." Whoever sent Xun Shen to scrape the ship, I will save the official ship with evil deeds. Pengcheng is far away and generous, and Green's name is waiting for you. There are many good people among 400 people, so that loyalty and filial piety can be answered by God. After the poem was written, I repeated the verdict: I have sent Mrs. Linshui to take care of the boat for you. Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid! "When Guo Rulin made Ryukyu, there was another" helmsman, Chen, who was good at basketball, but with the help of his family, he couldn't write. The words are completely reversed: those who have lives can be saved, the imperial envoys are kind, and the mother ship is safe. "Through this dialogue between God and man, it has played a role in stabilizing people's hearts and overcoming storms. In addition, if there is no wind or the wind direction is wrong, worship the sea god and pray for God's help. For example, Wang Ming made Ryukyu. "At that time, the east wind was fierce, saying that Xia Xun had passed and kai yang was not easy. After the "sacrifice to the heavenly princess", the wind suddenly turned, and the national flag was raised in the rudder building, and they all flew north. "It took only three days and three nights to complete the voyage that originally took more than ten days. Therefore, Wang Ming wrote in "Ryukyu Miscellanies": "The subjects of that country are all amazed. As the saying goes, since ancient times, there is no such thing as speed! * * * says that when a saint is above, there is no smoke in the sea, then the sea can fly when a saint is above. "After the storm at sea, people have more respect for Tian Fei and other Poseidon. Besides donating money to the court for Poseidon, they also donated money to build the temple of Tian Fei and write The Soul of Tian Fei. Guo Rulin's "Stone Inscription of Shiguang Temple" has described many times that Ryukyu people used to build a princess temple in Shi Tian. He said, "Seven years of Chenghua, for Dong? Zhang Xiang and his party made Ryukyu new. In the 13th year of Jiajing, Chen Kan and the pedestrians in the incident felt different and took on a new look. ..... is to test the site of Zhusuntong on the anniversary of the verdict, and pay the wages, worth gold 100 taels, and donate 24 taels of gold to Chen Hegao; Yu Yu. "It's still on the stone tablet of Yishan Hospital in Fuzhou, which reads:" Newly built Shisan Temple in Tianhou Palace, conferring the title of Sheren in the Cabinet of the Deputy Envoy of Ryukyu, and donating 520 taels of silver to Guang Jia, the official seal. At that time, the Qing Dynasty was in Tongzhi for five years, and Bingyin was in midsummer. "It can be seen that people spared no expense to build the Tian Fei Temple, which reflects the extremely important influence of Poseidon's belief on navigation. In a word, the ancient Fujian coastal residents' belief in Poseidon is very rich. This belief spread all over the world with the raised sails and rippling blue waves. This is not just the spread of folk beliefs. In fact, there is no doubt that people all over the world have inherited and carried forward the indomitable spirit of Fujian people in fighting against nature while accepting the ancient belief in Fujian Poseidon.
Precautions:
① Gao Cheng: See Xiao Chongye's Record of Making Ryukyu, pages 142 to 143. Taiwan Province Student Publishing House, 1970 edition.
(2) Xie Jie: For the supplement to the Summary of Ryukyu Annals, see Xia Ziyang's Making Ryukyu Annals, page 165, Taiwan Province Student Publishing House, version 1977. (3) Chen Kan: "A Record of Ryukyu" page 17, Naha City Historical Materials Volume 1 3, Showa 52nd edition.
(4) Xiao Chongye Jie book page 199.
(5) Xiao Chongye "Jie Shu" on page 200.
⑥ Xu Baoguang: History of Naha City, Volume III,No. 1, page 200.
⑦ Xiao Chongye opened the book on page 145.
⑧ Wang Ji: "Miscellaneous Notes on Making Ryukyu", Volume V, quoted from Jiang's Mazu Literature, page 193, Fujian People's Publishing House, 199.
⑨ Guo Rulin: "Re-editing Ryukyu Record" has an October edition for Ming Jiajing.
Attending Xu Baoguang book on page 92. Li Dingyuan: The Story of Ryukyu, p. 268, History of Naha 1, 3. Wang Ming found this book. Li Dingyuan revealed page 235 of the book. Qi Kun: A 53-year photocopy of Introduction to Ryukyu Kingdom in Showa County Library, Okinawa, Japan. Xu Baoguang's last book was on page 92. Li Dingyuan revealed 268 pages of the book. Chen Kan opened page 7 of the book. Jing Hu: Wonders of Ryukyu written by Du Angel, page 43, historical data of Naha City, volume 1, 3. Zhang Xueli: The Story of Ryukyu, Taiwan Province Literature Series No.292, page 8, Bank of Taiwan, 197 1 edition. Guo unveiled the book. Open page 9 of Zhang Xueli's book before. Guo opened the scroll in front of him. Xiao Chongye's last book 142. Wang Ming found this book.
Main references:
Xiao Chongye: Making a Record of Ryukyu, Taiwan Province Student Publishing House, 1969.