Devotees Carry Serene Mazu Statue Through Jubilant Crowd in Colorful Procession

Thousands of devotees gathered on April 23rd in the bustling streets of Taipei, Taiwan, to celebrate the annual procession of Mazu, the goddess of the sea. Amidst the sounds of firecrackers, cymbals, and horns, a team of devotees paraded the shrouded wooden statue of Mazu through the crowded streets. The serene-faced woman was held aloft on a brightly decorated litter, drawing the attention of the tens of thousands of onlookers who lined the route.

An Emotional Display

As the procession advanced, hundreds of people knelt on the road, eagerly waiting for the statue to pass over their heads. Overcome with emotion, some wept as the statue moved past them, while many others expressed their joy by capturing the moment with selfies. "I love Mazu, and Mazu loves me," echoed through the crowd, expressing their deep devotion to the revered goddess.