Wen Tianxiang

Wen Tianxiang（Wade-Giles:Wen Tien-hsiang，1236-1283），also Man Tin Cheung，Duke of Xingguo，“The Song Dynasty’s Top Ranking Scholar and Prime Minister，the West River’s Filial Son and Loyal Subject.”

Wen Tianxiang is considered one of the most famous symbols of loyalty and patriotism in China.His writings on righteousness are still widely taught in schools today.

Wen was born in 1236 in Luling（Ji’an），Jiangxi Province during the Song Dynasty.In 1256 he was the top scholar in the imperial examinations and eventually achieved the rank of Prime Minister.

In 1278，Wen was captured by the invading Yuan armies of Kublai Khan，

“offered”a Yuan post，and ordered to convince the remaining Song forces to surrender.Wen refused both and suffered for 4 years in a military prison before his execution in 1283.During this time he wrote the famous classics“Song of Righteousness”，and“Passing Lingdingyang”.

Wen Tianxiang Monuments

Jiangxi

Wen Tianxiang’s hometown in Ji’an，Jiangxi honors the famous national hero with a mausoleum.Exhibitions of paintings，calligraphy，and even army uniforms supposedly left by Wen are displayed in the Wen Family Ancestral Temple in Futian.

The Wen Tianxiang Mausoleum is located in Wohushan.

Beijing

The Memorial to Prime Minister Wen Tianxiang was built in 1376 during the reign of the Ming Emperor Hongwu.The location of Wen’s execution is thought to be near the entrance to Fuxue Alley in the East City District of Beijing and a memorial has been established on the northern side of the entrance to South Fuxue Alley near Beixinqiao.

“The Song Dynasty’s Top Ranking Scholar and Prime Minister，the West River’s Filial Son and Loyal Subject，”is carved into the columns of the memorial’s main hal1.

Hong Kong

The San Tin village in the New Territories of Hong Kong，have many surnamed “Wen”（“Man”in Cantonese）.The“Wen”villagers trace their ancestry to Wen Tianxiang via Wen Tianshui（Man Tin-Sui），also a famous Song Dynasty general and the cousin of Wen Tianxiang.

A Wen Tianxiang Memorial Park and”Wen”ancestral hall and residences（Tai Fu Tai）in San Tin is a popular historical attraction in Hong Kong.

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