Man Mo TempleThe Man Mo Temple, at Hollywood Road and Ladder Street in Hong Kong, is dedicated to two gods, Man Tai (god of literature) and Mo Tai (god of war). The two deities are technically from separate religious traditions, Taoism and Buddhism, but they’re worshiped side by side.
The temple was built in the early 1800’s, around the same time as the beginning of British colonial rule. The temple has been remodeled several times since it was built, but it retains much of its original appearance nonetheless. A huge copper bell was made and hung in the temple during the reign of Emperor Daoguang. Giant incense burners, still in use after all this time, stand on the premises. There are also a number of wooden chairs that were used to carry the deities around the streets of Hong Kong on festival days. These chairs were essentially mini-shrines, made some time in the early nineteenth century.
Wenchang (another name for Man Tai) stands tall in the temple, a calligraphy bursh in one hand. Students would often pray to him before and during examination times, especially for imperial examinations that once determined official rank in the imperial government. Guan Yu, another name for Mo Tai, stands nearby, sword in hand. It was to him that the people of Hong Kong prayed for protection. Wenchang and Guan Yu don’t stand alone; the temple also houses several smaller statues of other dieties, including Baogong (god of justice) and the town god of Hong Kong.
During Chinese New Year the temple is filled to the brim with locals and their children, coming to make obediance to the gods. These visitors often donate large sums of money to the temple, so it’s in quite good repair.
