从清代台湾妈祖宫庙题匾看妈祖的助战功能

Mazu’s Function as Assistant of War Based on the Plaque of Taiwan Mazu Temples in the Qing Dynasty

明代以后,向妈祖宫庙献匾这一妈祖信仰形式渐趋流行。清代台湾妈祖宫庙题匾更是盛极一时,其中反映的妈祖助战功能,独具特色。清代前期反映的是帮助清廷统一和稳定台湾;中后期反映的是帮助台湾地方官府剿寇和平定民变;另外,还反映妈祖能帮助清军顺利渡海和抗击外国侵略者。了解妈祖助战功能可从另一个角度来审视海神妈祖的多元职司,加深对妈祖文化内涵及清廷褒扬妈祖原因的理解。

After the Ming Dynasty, it was getting popular to offer plaques to Mazu Temples. Especially in the Qing Dynasty, so prevalent is the subscription of plaques to Mazu temples in Taiwan, among which the refection of Mazu＇s function of assisting in combat becomes distinctive. In the early Qing Dynasty, this function takes the shape of aiding the Qing government to unite and stabilize Taiwan, while in the latter period, it is mainly reflected in giving a helping hand to Taiwan local government in terminating bandits and putting down civil uprising. In addition, it algo reflects that Mazu is capable of helping the Qing army to cross the sea successfully and fight against foreign aggressors. The understanding of Mazu＇s function of war aiding is beneficial to view her multiple functions from another point of view, and obtains sufficient recognition of the essence of Mazu culture, as well as the reasons of high praise of Mazu by the Qing government.