Macao is the only city named after Mazu in the world, which has a deep historical origin with Mazu culture. Mazu culture is a part of Macao's multiculturalism, and it is also a part of Macao studies or Macao annals. Macao is one of the earliest places where Mazu belief spread, and Mazu Pavilion with a history of 400 to 500 years is an important cultural symbol of Macao. Tieshitang Mountain Tianhou Palace was completed in 2003, and it is the largest temple in Macao, covering an area of more than 7,000 square meters. It echoes the white marble Mazu statue at the top of the mountain and becomes a new Mazu cultural landscape in Macao.
Mazu culture is a major feature of marine culture, which originated in the Song Dynasty. Mazu culture is one of the outstanding cultural heritages of the Chinese nation. Mazu symbolizes the goddess of the sea, which has evolved from a maritime relationship to a "sea god" and a "escort goddess", forming one of the most important folk worship gods in the history of marine culture, and clarifying the saying that "where there is sea, there are China people, and where there are China people, there are Mazu". Historically, the trip to Korea in the Song Dynasty, the maritime traffic in the Yuan Dynasty, Zheng He's voyage to the West in the Ming Dynasty and the recovery of Taiwan Province in the Qing Dynasty all reflected the characteristics of marine culture.
Although Mazu did not leave any works or ideology in her short life, her noble sentiments and heroic deeds of loving labor, people, being brave, helping the poor and selfless dedication reflected the traditional virtues of the Chinese nation and formed great strength. After Mazu's sacrifice, according to their own wishes and ideals, people further shaped her into a goddess of compassion and fraternity, protecting the country and benefiting the people, respectable and amiable, with the aim of educating future generations and carrying forward the national spirit.
"It is said that Li Ze is still alive" and "still serving the country after death"-this is the poem of Huang Gongdu, the top scholar in the Song Dynasty; "But when you look at me going back and forth, I won't say anything"-this is a poem by Chen Mi, a scholar in the Song Dynasty. "Rain and dew are everywhere, the sky is vast and the waves are calm"-this is a poem by Zhang Jian, a poet in the Yuan Dynasty. "Help the weak and help the poor, come at your call and listen to your prayers"-this is the inscription of Emperor Yongle, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
These poems not only highly summarize the spirit of Mazu, but also show that thinkers and writers of past dynasties attached great importance to Mazu's educational function, hoping to make this folk belief a driving force to promote the country's prosperity, national unity and people's livelihood. In this sense, Mazu spirit is undoubtedly one of the outstanding cultural heritages of the Chinese nation.