A grand ceremony is held to worship the Chinese Sea Goddess Mazu in her birthplace of Meizhou of Putian county, East China's Fujian province, on Oct 9, 2016. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

According to legend, on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month in the year of 987, Mastu passed away, ascended to heaven and became a goddess. The ceremony marks the 1029th anniversary of her ascension.

It is believed that Mazu can protect fishermen and sailors at sea. She is widely worshiped in the coastal regions of southern China and Taiwan, and her believers are also found in some eastern and southeastern Asian countries.