本文從海洋宗教談起，以台灣媽祖與王爺信仰與儀式來說明華人民間對海洋的親近性。文中舉例媽祖與鄭和下西洋的關係，媽祖與施琅克台的關係，說明媽祖信仰增強人們在海上活動的信心。其次，王爺信仰與燒王船儀式說明民間對海上瘟疫懼怕心理，以及民間保存造船技術於宗教信仰之內。

This paper takes the issue of oceanic religion as its point of departure. It illustrates the intimacy of the Chinese people with the ocean as exemplified by the religious beliefs and rituals concerning Matsu and Wang Ye (＂Royal Lord＂) in Taiwan. On the one hand, the connection between Matsu and Zheng He’s voyages down the Western Ocean as well as the connection between Matsu and Shi Lang’s conquest of Taiwan are employed to explicate the ways how beliefs on Matsu has fostered the people’s confidence in their maritime activities. On the other hand, the Wang Ye worship and the ritual of setting fire to Wang Ye’s boat betray the fear of the Chinese society about plagues in regard to the ocean. Furthermore, it can be said that the skills of boatbuilding in the society has been derived from religion as such.