The date of the Dajia Matsu Pilgrimage is arranged by drawing the wooden divinatory stalks at midnight on the Lantern Festival day, He 15th of the first lunar month. At about 6 in that evening, temple officials will invite the presence of Matsu and her two generals, Chienliyen (千里眼) and Shunfenger (順風耳), to ask for the approval of the pilgrimage date from the deity at the prepared altar. In general, the pilgrimage is arranged on a holiday in the third lunar month to enable believers to join the event. After determining the date of departure (起駕, the lift of the sedan chair), the hosts of the ritual will report to Matsu about the agenda of the annual pilgrimage.

The international digital archives and e-learning communication project of the National Museum of Natural Science