Festival of Matsu, guard of fishermen, Taiwan

A statue of Matsu, the Chinese goddess of the sea, is dressed for a celebration in her name on Nangan Island in Taiwan's outlying Matsu Island chain, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. (AP)
County Magistrate Yang Suei-sheng, left, prays with officials during a celebration of Matsu, the Chinese goddess of the sea on Nangan Island in Taiwan's outlying Matsu Island chain, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. (AP)
Worshippers pray during a celebration of Matsu, the Chinese goddess of the sea on Nangan Island in Taiwan's outlying Matsu Island chain, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. (AP)
Worshippers participate in a celebration of Matsu, the Chinese goddess of the sea on Nangan Island in Taiwan's outlying Matsu Island chain, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. (AP)
Dancers prepare for a celebration of Matsu, the Chinese goddess of the sea on Nangan Island in Taiwan's outlying Matsu Island chain, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. (AP)
Dancers participate in a celebration of Matsu, the Chinese goddess of the sea on Nangan Island in Taiwan's outlying Matsu Island chain, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. (AP)
Dancers, seen in a reflection, prepare for a celebration of Matsu, the Chinese goddess of the sea on Nangan Island in Taiwan's outlying Matsu Island chain, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. (AP)
Dancers participate in a celebration of Matsu, the Chinese goddess of the sea on Nangan Island in Taiwan's outlying Matsu Island chain, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. (AP)

Celebration of Matsu, the Chinese goddess of the sea on Nangan Island in Taiwan's outlying Matsu Island chain, Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. Falling on the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, worshippers celebrate the anniversary of the believed ascension to heaven of the island's beloved goddess Matsu, known as the protector of fishermen.