Long before the Portuguese name "Macau" appeared on maps, this place was known as "Haojing Ao" (Mirror Bay) or "A-Ma Gao" (Bay of A-Ma). It all began not with fortresses or trade agreements, but with a legend passed down by word of mouth among the fishermen of the South China Sea.
According to the most famous version, during the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th centuries), a poor but kind-hearted fisherwoman named Liang asked to board a fishing junk sailing from Fujian province to Guangdong. The arrogant shipowner refused her. Only one poor fisherman took pity and took her onto his small boat. A terrible storm broke out at sea. All vessels, except for the frail boat with Liang, sank.
When the boat moored on the shore of Macau, the fisherwoman miraculously disappeared, and in her place a radiant image of a goddess, ascending to heaven, appeared. Later, she appeared to people in the mountains and on cliffs, always in red robes. The fishermen realized that they had been saved by the Heavenly Empress A-Ma (Mazu) herself—the goddess of the sea and patroness of sailors.
It was in her honor that the first modest chapel was laid on the site of the miraculous salvation. And the surrounding area began to be reverently called "A-Ma Gao." When the Portuguese landed here in the 1550s and asked the locals the name of the place, they answered: "A-Ma Gao." Thus, the name "Macau" was born—the Portuguese adaptation of the name sacred to the Chinese. Consequently, Macau is the only major city in China named after a deity.
Goddess A-Ma (Mazu): Who is she?
Tianhou Mazu (Heavenly Empress) is one of the most revered goddesses in Taoism and Chinese folk religion. The historical prototype is considered to be a real girl, Lin Moniang, born in 960 on Meizhou Island (Fujian). She was known for her ability to predict weather and heal, and according to legend, she saved her fisherman brothers in a storm by falling into a trance.
Her cult spread throughout the coast of Southern China and Southeast Asia along with sailors and emigrants. She is not a goddess of war or wealth, but a protector, savior, and comforter. Her image is always filled with mercy and calm. For millions, she is a spiritual mother, guarding everyone who goes to sea or is far from home.
Construction and Architecture of A-Ma Temple
A-Ma Temple is not a single building, but a complex of six main parts, built into the slope of Barra Hill and harmoniously following its relief. Construction spanned centuries, beginning in the Ming Dynasty era.
• Paifang Gate: The monumental gate at the entrance sets a solemn mood.
• Hall of Prayer (Hongren Hall): The oldest structure in the complex (1488). Simple and ascetic, it is dedicated directly to A-Ma.
• Hall of Benevolence (Zhiren Hall): Built next. It houses two important historical artifacts: a stone with an image of a Ming Dynasty junk and a relief of the "flying goddess A-Ma" saving the drowning.
• Hall of Mercy (Zuoguo Hall): The heart of the temple, where the main image of the goddess is located. The architecture becomes richer here.
• Pavilion of the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin Pavilion): Dedicated to the Bodhisattva Guanyin, reflecting the religious syncretism of the place: Taoism and Buddhism coexist peacefully.
• Zhengjiao Chanlin - Buddhist Pavilion: The latest and most impressive structure, demonstrating the influence of Buddhism.
The architecture is a classic example of Southern Chinese temple architecture: curved roofs with ceramic figures of dragons and phoenixes, carved stone beams, red columns, calligraphy plaques, bronze incense burners. A distinctive feature is the natural incorporation of huge boulders into the walls and interiors, creating the feeling that the temple grew out of the rock itself.
What is interesting for tourists today?
• Feel the pulse of "real" Macau: You will see locals making offerings, praying with incense, and divining their fate using "kau chim" sticks.
• Enjoy the view and atmosphere: The complex is located by the water. From the viewing platforms, a beautiful view of the bay opens up.
• Experience the tradition: You can try divination with wooden fortune sticks (kau chim) or buy an amulet for safe travel at a souvenir shop.
• Visit during the festival: The A-Ma Festival (the goddess`s birthday) takes place on the 23rd day of the 3rd lunar month (usually April). The temple becomes the epicenter of a colorful event with theatrical performances, processions, fireworks, and crowds of pilgrims.
A-Ma Temple is the spiritual and historical foundation of Macau. This is an essential place to visit if you plan to see Macau. Fishermen prayed to Goddess A-Ma when setting out to sea, and emigrants prayed when leaving for foreign lands. By visiting the temple, you touch this ancient tradition.
