A Bowl of "Mazu Noodles" Shows the Deepest Wishes of Meizhou Island People (2)

一碗“妈祖面”，藏着湄洲岛人最深情的祝愿（2）

In the local, when people entertain guests, there is a must dish named Mazu noodles, which is full of their deep feelings for the sea.

在当地，百姓在招待宾客时，有一道不可或缺的佳肴——妈祖面，这饱含着他们对大海的深情。

Over time, with the continuous spread of Mazu culture, coastal people gradually called this bowl of noodle "Mazu noodles", which symbolizes "peace and harmony", and it has become an indispensable food for Putian people to celebrate the birthday for family and friends, give a farewell dinner, celebrate festivals, and entertain guests. In 2009, Mazu peace noodles of Putian was included in Putian's second group of intangible cultural heritage list.

久而久之，随着妈祖文化的不断传播，沿海人民便逐渐把象征“平安祥和”的这碗面称为“妈祖面”，而它也成为了莆田人为亲友祝寿、饯行、欢庆佳节、招待客人时必不可少的美食。2009年，湄洲妈祖平安面被列入莆田市第二批非物质文化遗产名录。

          Mazu noodles (Photo by Reporter Lin Chunsheng)  

                         妈祖面（林春盛 摄）

A bowl of "Mazu noodles" seems quite ordinary, but it is the most simple and ardent expectations of Meizhou Island people for life. Born for the sea and show respect towards the sea. Mazu who has been admired by people of Meizhou Island is like that, so are the "Mazu noodles" that were served at festivals. 

一碗“妈祖面”，看似稀松平常，却寄托了湄洲岛人对生活最朴实热切的美好期望。因大海而生，因大海而有所敬畏。湄洲岛上人人敬仰的妈祖如此，每逢佳节必吃的“妈祖面”也是如此。