The Study On The Belief Of Mazu In Shanghai

The Mazu belief spread out to Shanghai from the Song Dynasty. Through the development in the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, it reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty. There were a large number of Official Mazu temples and Hall Mazu temples in Shanghai, mainly in coastal, river terminals and trade center. In the need of water transport, coastal, river terminals and trade center. In the needs of water transport, coastal defense, disaster prevention and foreign affairs, official promoted and praised Mazu belief in Shanghai, by the way of adding imperial title, building temple, awarding horizontal inscribed board as well as offering sacrifices.Businessmen built many Mazu temples and often offered sacrifices to Mazu. They were the main body of Shanghai Mazu belief. In order to promote the spread of Mazu belief, Taoist priest also advocated the Mazu temples and manage the temple business.The Mazu belief is like a pocket belief. It will be widespread with the flow of believers. The Mazu belief in Shanghai is closely related with Fujianese. The Fujianese took the Mazu belief along with them when they to Shanghai. They built Hall Mazu temples, offer sacrifices to Mazu. They were the body of the Mazu believers in Shanghai. The Mazu belief showed the development trend of localization in Shanghai.The localization of Mazu belief was supported by Fujianese. The falling back of Fujianese, as well as the weaker demand on Mazu belief by waterman was the main reason that caused the decadence of Mazu belief in Shanghai. That the other people were in occupation of the Mazu temples was another reason. The Mazu belief may revive in future.