Mazu
the lantern over the strait
waterMazu, the sea-girl who guided her brothers home through the storm, became the goddess every sailor calls by name; to dream of her is to see a red lantern burning through your worst weather, close enough to steer by.
She dreamed her brothers drowning and swam out in the dream to save them; the goddess was born the night her dreaming proved stronger than the sea.
Her temples face the water up and down the coast, and every fishing fleet carries her red lantern; the sea is vast, but it answers to her name.
When the typhoon season comes her statue is carried drumming through the streets, so she can inspect her waters; the goddess likes to see for herself.
Sailors say the storm is worst in the hour before her light appears — as if the sea must be fully convinced you are worth saving.