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feeding sealsMazu Patron Saint of Seamen
In Downtown Yantai there is a small museum that is an old temple dedicated to Mazu. It contains information about her, archeological exhibitions and the stage for the traditional Mazu celebration. At one end is a crystal and rock store with some interesting pieces. The building itself encloses a court yard and the outer walls of the structure make a walled enclosure hiding its contents. The Altar/Stage was carved in Fujian and brought to Yantai by ship.
So who is Mazu?
(the following was found on yourencyclopedia.com)
According to legend, Lin Muoniang was born in 960 (during the early Northern Song Dynasty) as the seventh daughter of Lin Yuan on Meizhou Island, Fujian. She did not cry when she was born, and thus her given name means "Silent Girl."
There are many legends about her and the sea.
Although she started swimming relatively late at the age of 15, she soon became an excellent swimmer. She wore red standing on the shore to guide fishing boats home, even in the most dangerous and harsh weather.
