Thiên Hâu Temple in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, reveres Mazu. The sea goddess was born in 960 A.D. and is the protector of sailors and fishermen. The Chinatown entrance features small porcelain figures below two sea serpents. These delicate, blue and tan figurines with pointed ears fill the courtyard roofs. This leads to the altar with three bronze Thiên Hâu statues in brightly colored robes. Throughout the pagoda are urns filled with burning joss sticks and conical incense coils. The result is a heavy smoke that drifts and twirls everywhere.
