Ma Tsu

English

Etymology

From the Wade-Giles romanization of Mandarin 媽祖／妈祖 (Māzǔ).

Proper noun

Ma Tsu

1. Alternative spelling of Matsu (goddess).
   • 1987, P. Sangren, History and Magical Power in a Chinese Community, page 207:

     Similarly, Ma Tsu is revered because she protected immigrants in The Social Construction of Power.

   • 2006, James Miller, Chinese Religions in Contemporary Societies, page 127:

     After all, it was Koxinga who freed Taiwan from the rule of the barbarian Dutch, and Ma Tsu [Mazu] is vernerated for having aided him in this endeavour. Moreover, at local Ma Tsu [Mazu] temples in Taiwan, on frequently hears stories of how the goddess intervened to save people from the Japanese, head-hunting aborigines, floods and American bombs.

   • 2008, Shirley Fong-Torres, The Woman Who Ate Chinatown: A San Francisco Odyssey, page 100:

     On the side street between Pacific and Jackson, this Taoist and Buddhist temple houses the Goddess Ma-Tsu, who looks after travelers and visitors.

   • 2011, Raymond Barnett, The Return to Treasure Island:

     I lit a fresh stick of incense in my altar to Ma Tsu the sea-goddess.

Anagrams

• Maust, musta, sumat