天妃,在闽、台及广东潮汕地区习称“妈祖”或“娘妈”,是我国古代的航海保护神。天妃信仰起源于北宋中期,起初只是区域性的民间海神崇拜,后因社会经济、政治、文化等方面的因素而迅速传播。其影响不仅遍及我国南北沿海地区,甚至通过海外贸易和华侨的传播,流传至甫洋和欧美。本文就天妃信仰的起源、属性、传播及其历史文化背景等问题,谈一点粗浅的看法。 Tian Fei, in Fujian, Taiwan and Guangdong Chaoshan area call “Mazu” or “mother”, is China’s ancient marine saint god. Originally believed to originate from the mid-Northern Song Dynasty, Tianwei Faith was initially worshiped as a regional folk sea god and then spread rapidly due to factors such as social economy, politics and culture. Its influence has spread not only to the north and south coasts of our country, but also to Fuyang and Europe and the United States even through the spread of overseas trade and overseas Chinese. This article talks about the origins, attributes, dissemination and historical and cultural background of the Tiaofei Faith.