A Man Mo temple, or Man Mo Miu, is a temple dedicated to the Chinese folk god of literature, Man Tai (), or Man Cheong (), and the martial god Mo Tai (), or Kwan Tai (). The two deities were commonly patronized by scholars and students seeking progress in their study or ranking in the civil examinations in the Ming and Qing dynasties.Brief Information on Proposed Grade I Items, pp.31-32 There are several Man Mo temples in Hong Kong, the best-known of which is the one in Sheung Wan.
Sheung Wan
The largest Man Mo temple in Hong Kong is at 124–126 Hollywood Road, in Sheung Wan, built in 1847. It is part of a complex that comprises three adjacent blocks: Man Mo Temple, Lit Shing Temple (No. 128 Hollywood Road),Tung Wah Group of Hospitals – Services Centres Information and Kung So.
The Man Mo Temple, the main building of the complex, is dedicated to the civil god Man Cheong and the martial god Kwan Tai. Lit Shing Kung () is for the worship of all heavenly gods. Kung So (), to its west, was an assembly hall where community affairs and disputes were settled.Introduction to 1444 Historic Buildings, p.16
In 1908, the temple was officially entrusted to the Tung Wah Board of Directors. The temple has since been managed by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. It was graded as a Grade I historic building in 1993, and it is now a declared monument.Antiquities and Monuments Office: Man Mo Temple Compound, Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan
Tai Po
The Man Mo Temple on Fu Shin Street (), Tai Po, was built in 1893,The Tai Po Book, p.37 to mark the founding of Tai Wo Shi (Tai Wo Market Town, now commonly known as Tai Po Market). It has been listed as a declared monument.Antiquities and Monuments Office: Man Mo Temple, Tai Po
Lantau
The Man Mo temple at Pak Ngan Heung (), in Mui Wo, Lantau Island,Exploring Islands. Man Mo Temple, Mui Wo. underwent a major renovation in 1960 and was rebuilt in 2001.Antiquities Advisory Board. Historic Building Appraisal. Man Mo Temple, Pak Ngan Heung, Mui Wo
See also Martial temple Wen Wu temple Hip Tin temples in Hong Kong Kwan Tai temples in Hong Kong Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong
References
External links
Man Mo Temple, Sheung Wan Man Mo Temple Compound 124–126, 128 and 130 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan Photo gallery featuring views of the interior of the Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road Man Mo Temple, Tai Po Virtual visit of Man Mo Temple, Tai Po Man Mo Temple, Lantau Antiquities and Monuments Office. Historic Building Appraisal Pictures