Two statues of Mazu , or the "Goddess of the Sea" have been flown from Xiamen to Taiwan after the airline issued a special boarding pass under the name "Lin Mo," to denote a cultural exchange between the two places.
On March 29, the statues embarked on Xiamen Airlines flight MF881 departing from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport located in southeast China’s Fujian province, heading towards Taiwan.
Videos showing crew members meticulously transporting the statues inside the cabin gained widespread attention on the internet shortly after being shared.
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One of the statues showcased the primary deity referred to as "Black-faced Mazu," who gained this title because her face turned entirely dark whenever she utilized her abilities to fend off invaders and safeguard her village.
The alternative statue had a gentle pink-hued face, representing a nurturing and affectionate maternal presence.
The airline created a distinctive boarding pass for the statues labeled as "Lin Mo" and supplied specially designed extended safety belts complete with additional red straps to guarantee their stability throughout the journey.
Owing to their substantial dimensions, the airline proactively collaborated with the airport, customs and immigration officials, as well as security teams, to arrange for exceptional measures beforehand.
The measures comprised specialized registration desks, a separate lounge area, and a quicker security clearance line.
Mazu It was initially named "Lin Mo" and came into existence in 960 on Meizhou Island, located in the Fujian province of eastern China.
She had remarkable abilities like healing illnesses and forecasting the weather, which made her well-known as a guardian for fishermen and sailors.
When she was 28 years old, she committed herself to assisting her local community members and unfortunately lost her life while trying to save the survivors of a maritime accident.
In 2009, the UNESCO added the Mazu beliefs and customs to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, marking the first time for China.
Today, Mazu Is venerated in almost 5,000 shrines globally, with over 500 located in Taiwan, and approximately 70 percent of Taiwan’s populace of 17 million consider themselves followers.
In 1997, the Mazu statue originating from the mainland embarked on its inaugural trip to Taiwan.
As reported by the Global Times, the two statues seized during this trip were bigger compared to those from previous visits and came with an increased number of ritual objects.
Internet commentators voiced their hopes, wishing that the statues might bolster the relationship between the mainland and the island.
Someone remarked, "Let Mazu bring peace and prosperity to the world for China and its people!"
As someone else expressed: "Chinese culture serves as the common essence linking individuals across both regions. Attempts at Taiwanese independence cannot break this connection. The unification of our homeland will undoubtedly come to pass!"
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source of news covering China and Asia.
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