Worshippers of Mazu held a variety of activities, such as parade, performance, presenting sacrifices, and burning joss sticks in different regions of China to celebrate the 1,052nd birthday of the Chinese sea goddess on Friday, April 13, 2012. This Friday is also the 23rd day of the 3rd month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar, which is considered the birthday of Mazu. Mazu is named after a woman in Song Dynasty (960-1279) who was able to forecast the weather at sea and was later deified as a goddess of the sea. Mazu belief has been prevalent in Fujian and Taiwan for hundreds of years. More about the belief in Mazu