The research of the value of the influence of Mazu belief on folk culture

Abstract

The preservation of the intangible cultural heritage is a universal value, and the trend of preservation has become a comprehensive conservation that crosses the ethnics, cultures, and generations from individual conservation. Mazu belief is the specific Intangible Cultural Heritage in Taiwan since it has the largest number of congregations. The goal of this research is to analyze the current condition of registration of Mazu belief in folk culture, and propose the value feature of the Mazu belief Intangible Cultural Heritage. The research methods include document analysis and comparative analysis. With textual analysis, we analyze the literature and secondary data relating to the intangible cultural heritage, which include the announcement, preservation and conservation plans, and the thesis of registration of Mazu belief in Cultural Heritage. The research result indicates that Mazu belief culture has ten value features, including ten properties of collectivity, traditionality, variability, totipotency, cohesion, universality, sociality, innovation, industrial applicability, and abundance. The research result can be provided for the competent authority's reference in formulating the policy of preserving and conserving Mazu beliefs, and then they can enhance the preservation and inherent value of the intangible cultural heritage.