The Gods of Literature and War at Man Mo Temple in Sheung Wan

The Man Mo Temple is one of the earliest temples established in Hong Kong Island. Standing on Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan, Man Mo Temple bears witness to the lives of those Hong Kong Chinese that lived in the Sheung Wan area in the early colonial times till the present. As a place where most Chinese residents of Sheung Wan frequent, the Man Mo Temple was more than a place of worship. It once was the venue for meting out justice and resolving civilian disputes.


The Man Mo Temple compound of Sheung Wan consists of three separate but abutting blocks. The largest chamber is the Man Mo Temple. The middle, smaller block is called Lit Shing Kung, meaning “all saints” in Chinese. Finally, on the westernmost end stands the Kung Sor, which served as an important community hall.


The two gods that are the resident deities at the temple are the Man Cheong and the Mo Tai. Man Cheong, meaning the god of literature, is a legend from as far back as the Qin dynasty. He was traditionally the god of reverence for those who aimed high in the imperial civilian examinations.


Mo Tai, meaning the god of war, is a legend from the three kingdoms period. He was a great warrior and had the reputation for being loyal and righteous. As such, he was traditionally the god of reverence for both the police and the bandits.


During the early colonial times, the way that the Chinese people took oath was by “burning the yellow paper” and “chopping off the chicken’s head.” By taking these oaths the Chinese people are bound by their declaration and it was an effective legal oath. However, this proceeding must be held in the Man Mo Temple.


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Post by Helen Yu (Chestnut Journal) | Feb 18, 2025