00:01A golden statue of Ma Zhu, a Chinese sea goddess, set out on a procession around Meizhou Island
00:08in Putian, southeast China's Fujian province on Sunday, marking the 1039th anniversary
00:15of her ascension to heaven.
00:17Devotees from home and abroad gathered in the morning to watch the statue leave the
00:22temple.
00:23The procession, which organizers said would cover more than 15 kilometers over two days
00:28and one night, drew crowds along its route as onlookers stopped to pay their respects
00:34and offer prayers.
00:35A sea offering ceremony was held in the afternoon, in accordance with ancient rites.
00:41Ma Zhu, a central figure in the Minnan culture shared by Fujian and Taiwan, is believed to
00:47be based on Lin Mo, a legendary woman from Meizhou Island who lived in the 10th century
00:53and was later deified as a protector of seafarers.
00:56Alongside the island procession and the sea offering ceremony, a series of cultural
01:02events will be held during the festival to carry forward the Ma Zhu spirit and deepen exchanges
01:08among devotees worldwide.
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