Mencius' Mother Temple: A historical site in Shandong
In Shifo town, Yanggu county, Shandong province, lies the historical site of the Mencius' Mother Temple, also known as the Mencius' Mother Praying for Silkworms Shrine.
It is marked by a prominent meter-high mound covered in lush trees, formed after the collapse of the temple's main hall. Nearby stands a small brick temple for worship, housing a red-clothed statue with traces of offerings.
The Mencius' Mother Temple was a grand structure. It consisted of a main gate, ceremonial gate, main hall, rear hall, and two side wings. The main hall featured a statue of Mencius' mother. The rear hall displayed a statue of the sage Mencius and had paintings depicting his travels and writings.
The Mencius' Mother Temple attracts worshippers from the local community and neighboring provinces. People visit to pay their respects, particularly during exams, academic struggles, and times of illness within their families.
The belief that Mencius' Mother resided and passed away in this area remains prevalent. It is said that Mencius' mother sought blessings from the silkworm deity for a prosperous silkworm cocoon harvest in the region. (Edited by Jiang Ting)
