Chinese cultural symbols in Thailand : a study of Mazu belief in the Chinese community in Bangkok Chinatown

Abstract

The overseas Chinese living around the world constitute a unique and far-reaching social group in the development of modern human history. While seeking survival and development in foreign lands, they also spread Chinese culture to the world, creatively integrating Chinese culture, territorial culture, and other cultures, forming a distinctive culture of overseas Chinese. Due to the historical environment, geographical conditions, and background factors of transportation, Southeast Asia now has the largest number of overseas Chinese in the world. Among them, overseas Chinese living in Thailand have long been integrated into the mainstream of their economy, politics, and culture. Many Chinese cultures brought by overseas Chinese have merged into an important part of Thai culture today. Among them, Mazu belief customs have become the symbol of Chinese culture in Thailand due to their influence in the hearts of overseas Chinese and the vitality of Chinese culture contained in Mazu belief customs culture.

Mazu or Matsu is a Chinese sea goddess also known by several other names and titles. She is the deified form of the legendary figure Lin Mo or Lin Moniang, a Fujian shamaness whose life span is traditionally dated from 960 to 987. Revered after her death as a tutelary deity of seafarers, including fishermen and sailors, her worship spread throughout China's coastal regions and overseas Chinese communities throughout Southeast Asia and overseas, where some Mazuist temples. She was thought to roam the seas, protecting her believers through miraculous interventions.

Mazu belief spread from the southeast coast of China to all parts of the world, and spread throughout the areas inhabited by Chinese. It can be said that wherever there are Chinese people living together, there is Mazu Temple. Mazu belief is closely related to the development of marine civilization and the people of the southeast coast to make a living abroad. The Chinese who came to Thailand with the ship have long believed in Mazu, especially in Fujian, Chaozhou and Hainan. Mazu belief has considerable influence in Thai Chinese society. Thailand is one of the important countries where Mazu culture is spread overseas.

As a symbol of Chinese culture that constructs ethnic boundaries and condenses ethnic groups, the Mazu belief not only expresses the homesickness of Thai Chinese, but also demonstrates their differences and the process of fitting in with Thai society. As a special communication medium, it forms a series of special cultural exchange mechanisms during the process of communication and integration with Thai culture, and is recognized as a very important component of Thai Chinese culture. It is also an important link for cultural exchanges between China and Thailand.

This article takes the Thai Chinese and their belief in Mazu as the research object. Taking the Mazu belief in the Chinese community in Bangkok's Chinatown as an example, this paper studies the dissemination and integration process of Mazu belief in Thai society, analyzes the characteristics of Thai Mazu belief, and explores its social significance as a special cross-cultural communication medium.