The 23rd day of the third lunar month marks the celebration of Mazu's birth, also known as Tianhou Festival (Queen of Heaven), a traditional folk holiday in China. Mazu, also known as the Goddess of the Sea, is a popular deity worshipped by fishermen, sailors, and coastal communities. 

The festival is particularly significant in Shipai Village in Guangzhou's Tianhe district, where the custom of worshipping Mazu dates back to the early Qing dynasty (about 350 years ago). Until now, the village has a history of over 750 years.

The goddess's birthday is dubbed "Niangma's Birthday" here. At 8 am on May 12th, the day of Mazu's birthday, the procession began with a ceremony to pray for blessings. The procession started from the "Niangma Hall" in Shipai Village and wound through the streets to the Zhujiang New Town Community and the Memorial Archway Square. Along the way, there were lion dances, drumming, and other performances to add to the festive atmosphere.

视频+图集｜CBD里妈祖诞巡游

农历三月二十三是传统的妈祖诞民俗节日，又称“天后诞”。在广州市天河区石牌村，这一节日被称作“娘妈诞”。石牌村建村750多年，祭祀妈祖的习俗可以追溯到清代初期，并延续至今。

在珠江新城石牌安居房二三期广场上，巡游队伍举行了盛大的祈福仪式

石牌村村民正在准备巡游祈福的贡品

巡游祈福的队伍穿过珠江新城，前往石牌安居房二三期牌坊广场

爆竹震天响，参加巡游的小朋友捂住了耳朵

巡游队伍从石牌村朝阳东大街出发，一路上锣鼓喧天，鼓乐齐鸣

声势浩大的巡游祈福队伍穿过珠江新城，引得路人纷纷拍照

5月12日正诞日上午8点，妈祖巡游祈福正式开始。巡游队伍从石牌村朝阳东大街的“娘妈厅”出发，沿着朝阳东大街——石牌安居房二三期牌坊广场——石牌安居房一期广场——石牌新庆村牌坊广场——豪居路口牌坊——石牌小学路口牌坊——潘祠大街往石牌西路口——市头大街——娘妈厅的路线巡游，路上狮舞助兴，鼓乐齐鸣，场面热闹喜庆。

文、图、视频拍摄丨羊城晚报全媒体记者 周巍
视频剪辑丨羊城晚报全媒体记者 张惠鑫 实习生 叶诩
翻译丨刘佳慧
责编丨古司祺