Menghean Red Manja Society
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大孟紅卍字會 | |
 | |
| Formation | 1897 |
|---|---|
| Founded at | Federative Republic of Menghe |
| Type | Aid agency |
| Purpose | Humanitarian aid |
| Headquarters | Menghe |
The Menghean Red Manja Society (大孟紅卍字會 / 대멩 홍만자 회, Dae Meng Hongmanja hoe) is the official Menghean chapter of Septentrion's International Federation of Red Sign Societies. Founded in the late 19th century during Menghe's Three States Period, it is responsible for providing relief operations after humanitarian disasters, disease outbreaks, and health emergencies, including treatment for wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
Insignia
In Meng culture, the swastika (卍字 / 만자, manja) is a traditional symbol of harmony and longevity. Generally drawn in its left-facing (sauwastika) form, it originated with Themiclesian Buddhism but later spread to Sindoism and Chŏndoism. It is pronounced as a homonym of man (萬), literally "ten thousand" but also meaning myriad, eternity, or the sum of all creation. From this association it also gained a connotation of longevity, as in the slogan manse (萬歲 / 만세, "long live").
History
The Red Manja Society was formed in the late 19th century, during Menghe's Three States Period. The wars between the states of Namyang and Sinyi saw appallingly high casualties on both sides, a result of the introduction of modern weaponry and tactics, and the task of caring for the wounded far surpassed the resources of local communities. The Menghean Red Cross Society, a Christian organization, had initially worked in the State of Namyang to care for the wounded, but its members were not granted immunity by Sinyi, which still had strict laws against Christian proselytizing.
In an effort to improve protections for medical personnel, the All-Menghe Reunification Committee convened in Junggyŏng to form a new medical and humanitarian relief organization whose members could operate freely in Sinyi and Namyang. Because the red cross had Christian connotations, Sinyi representatives argued for the use of an alternative symbol, and the two delegations agreed on the use of the Manja, which was associated with long life and unity and was easily recognizable on a flag or armband.
After Menghe's reunification and the end of the war, the Red Manja Society was granted official status in the newly formed Federative Republic of Menghe, and its insignia was adopted by hospitals and medical clinics.