Wen Tianxiang Memorial

文天祥 - Wen Tianxiang

Wen Tianxiang (1236-1283), the "Song Dynasty's Top Ranking Scholar and Prime Minister, the West River's Filial Son and Loyal Subject" is one of the most famous symbols of loyalty and patriotism in China. His writings are still taught in China's schools today.

Wen was born in 1236 in Luling, Jiangxi during the late Southern Song Dynasty. In 1256 he was at the top of his class in the imperial examinations and he eventually became Prime Minister.

In 1278, Wen was captured by the invading Yuan (Mongol) armies of Kublai Khan, and offered a Yuan post if he would convince the remaining Song forces to surrender. Wen refused and spent for 4 years in a military prison before his execution in 1283. During this time he wrote the famous classics "Song of Righteousness" (Zhengqige), and "Passing Lingdingyang".

This memorial to 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 (where the temple is located). The memorial is small and located next to a primary school which takes away from the quite surroundings if you happen on the temple at lunchtime. The small museum in the first room has decent English signage but there is not much information. The temple in the back is small but pleasant.

The reason that Wen has a place as martyr in Chinese culture might be hard to understand for western tourists. The Song dynasty, which he stood, for was a Han or ethnic Chinese dynasty. After his death, the dynasty fell to the Mongol empire of Kublai Khan, whose grandfather had already pushed the Song dynasty out of Northern China a generation earlier. For years China was ruled by these Mongol emperors. When the Han majority reclaimed power, the new Ming Dynasty wanted to look back before the Yuan to find national heroes. Wen Tianxiang was a good example of loyalty. It is because of this ethnic loyalty that the temple was restored and maintained over the many years since.

This is not a site to make a special visit to, but combined with Mao Dun's residence, the Confucian Temple & the Lama Temple - it makes for a pleasant stop on a bike tour.