Written by Zhang Yanchao, the article “Mazu’s Local Promotion: Intersection of Family, Textual Representation, Confucian Values, and Temples in Late Imperial China” explores how local elites during late imperial China played a crucial role in promoting and shaping the Mazu belief. By compiling Confucian classics and establishing temples, these elites aligned Mazu’s image with their interests, highlighting her roles as a protector of the state, a filial daughter, and a member of the Lin family. This study delves into how local power dynamics and Confucian ideology influenced the representation and dissemination of Mazu worship.
The document titled “Mazu’s Local Promotion: Intersection of Family, Textual Representation, Confucian Values, and Temples in Late Imperial China,” written by Zhang Yanchao and published in the journal Muara, delves into the critical role of local elites in developing and spreading Mazu worship during late imperial China. Zhang highlights how these elites reshaped Mazu’s image by using key Confucian texts and establishing temples to serve their interests.
The study examines Mazu’s multiple roles, particularly emphasizing her as a protector of the state, a filial daughter, and a member of the Lin family. Through the compilation of Confucian classics, local elites in the Putian area effectively merged Mazu’s image with their sociopolitical agendas, thus legitimizing their authority and influence within the community. The article further explores the complex interaction between state interests, Confucian ideology, and folk religion, demonstrating how the local promotion of Mazu worship operated at the intersection of these forces.
Through detailed historical analysis and textual research, the article reveals how Mazu became a symbol of family authority and local loyalty. The ancestral halls and Mazu temples established by the Lin family further solidified her role as a divine protector and filial figure, embodying traditional Confucian virtues. Zhang’s research offers valuable insights into the interaction between local elites and state power, providing a comprehensive understanding of the cultural and religious significance of Mazu worship in late imperial China.
