Small pockets of Manichaean heritage still flicker today, even if the faith itself seems like a whisper from a bygone era. In southern China’s Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, communities blend ancient Manichaean rituals with folk Taoist and Buddhist elements. Their ceremonies at temples like Cao’an—once a bustling Manichaean church—have earned UNESCO recognition for living cultural heritage. These gatherings may feel miles away from Mani’s original “Children of Light,” but the dualistic heartbeat remains.

Meanwhile, a handful of modern Gnostic and esoteric circles in Europe and North America trace inspiration back to Manichaean ideas. The Lectorium Rosicrucianum, sprouting from early 20th-century Dutch theosophy, emphasizes a cosmic struggle between light and darkness in a way that owes a nod to Mani’s vision. Likewise, tiny neo-Gnostic fellowships—often under names like “Light of Christ” or “Children of the Light”—borrow Manichaean poetry and symbols, though direct lineage is more spiritual kinship than unbroken tradition.

Recent years have witnessed a budding curiosity among New Age seekers and academic reenactors. Online forums and scholarly workshops explore Manichaean hymns written in Middle Persian and Sogdian, even hosting virtual chant sessions on platforms like Discord. No mass movement has sprung up—more like scattered lanterns in the dark—but these efforts are keeping the old teachings from vanishing entirely.

In Iran, whispers of Manichaean revival sometimes emerge within broader Zoroastrian communities keen to reclaim pre-Islamic roots. Yet political sensitivities mean any open practice remains low-key. It’s a case of keeping one’s head down, hoping history doesn’t sweep the small flame away.

So while there’s no global “Manichaean Church 2.0,” the faith’s dualistic spark lives on in syncretic temples, esoteric lodges, and online study circles. Each is a little beacon saying: even the most eclipsed traditions can find fresh air in unexpected corners.