The Man Mo Temple is dedicated to the God of Literature, Man Tai, and the God of War, Mo Tai. Man Tai is symbolized by a pen, and Mo Tai by a sword, bringing to mind the obvious question “Is the pen mightier than the sword?” Man Tai is the patron of students and civil servants, and students will bring offerings before exams. Mo Tai is the patron of policemen, the military, and, oddly, pawnshops. I’ve read that Mo Tai is based on the real warrior Guan Yu who lived around 220 AD. The Man Mo Temple is a busy place. Inside, huge incense cones that can burn for up to three days hang from the ceiling, filling the air with smoke. Pretty much every one who comes in lights at least three joss sticks. (Joss
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