Tian-hou ("heavenly empress") - goddess of the sea. At first she was a simple girl, the daughter of a fisherman. One day she dreamed that her father's boat capsized. Tian-hou's soul flew to where this happened and saved his father. This amazing girl knew how to calm storms: all she had to do was close her eyes. She was later given the title "Heavenly Concubine". Fishermen in Southern China still highly revere Tian-hou.
Her cult originated in the 10th-11th centuries. in the coastal regions of Fujian as a result of the deification, apparently, of a real maiden named Lin, who lived in the 8th or 10th-11th centuries, whose soul allegedly flew to save her brothers in distress at sea. In 1156, by order of the emperor, a temple was erected in her honor.
Tian-hou is depicted sitting on the waves, on clouds or on a throne. She has two assistants: the first one has his hand to his ear, the other his hand to his eyes.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru