Guan Yu

Guan Yu (d. January or February 220), with the courtesy name Yunchang, was a Chinese military general who served under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty. He, along with Zhang Fei, shared a close bond with Liu Bei and took part in many of his adventures. Guan Yu was important in the events that led to the end of the Han dynasty and the creation of Liu Bei's state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.

Guan Yu was known for his loyalty to Liu Bei. He was brave and helped defeat Yan Liang, a general under Yuan Shao, during the Battle of Boma. After Liu Bei took control of Yi Province in 214, Guan Yu stayed in Jing Province to protect it. However, during the Battle of Fancheng in 219, Guan Yu was captured and executed by forces of Sun Quan.

After his death, Guan Yu's story was honored, and he became respected as a model of loyalty and goodness. Today, he is remembered as a cultural hero and is still honored by many people of Chinese descent. In religious practices, he is called "Emperor Guan" or "Lord Guan" and is worshipped in Chinese folk religion, Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism. Small shrines dedicated to him can be found in many traditional Chinese shops and restaurants.

Historical sources

The main book about Guan Yu is the Records of the Three Kingdoms. It was written by Chen Shou a long time ago. Later, Pei Songzhi added notes to the book. He used many other books to share more facts and his ideas. Some of these books are Shu Ji, Wei Shu by Wang Chen, Xun Yi, and Ruan Ji, Jiang Biao Zhuan, Fu Zi by Fu Xuan, Dianlüe by Yu Huan, Wu Li, and Chronicles of Huayang by Chang Qu.

Physical appearance

No exact descriptions of Guan Yu's looks are found in old records. But one story says he had an amazing beard.

People often picture Guan Yu as a red-faced warrior with a big, beautiful beard. This idea might come from a famous old book called Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It describes him as very tall with a long beard.

In pictures from this book, Guan Yu usually wears a green robe over his armor. His weapon, called the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, is a long sword that is very heavy.

Early life and career

Guan Yu was from Yuncheng, Shanxi. He loved studying and knew many stories from an old history book called the Zuo zhuan.

During a big uprising called the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Guan Yu joined a group led by Liu Bei to help keep peace. He and his friend Zhang Fei became known for their strength and bravery as fighters.

Liu Bei treated Guan Yu and Zhang Fei like family. They shared a room, ate together, and always protected Liu Bei. They went with him on many adventures and were ready for any challenge. Guan Yu was kind to his soldiers and always stayed loyal to Liu Bei.

Short service under Cao Cao

Liu Bei and his followers joined Cao Cao after winning a battle against Lü Bu. Later, Liu Bei and his men left to take control of Xu Province, leaving Guan Yu in charge of the city of Xiapi.

In 200, Cao Cao attacked Liu Bei and took back Xu Province. Guan Yu was captured but treated well by Cao Cao, who even asked the emperor to give Guan Yu an important military position. Later, Guan Yu helped fight off an attack led by Yuan Shao's general Yan Liang. After this battle, Guan Yu decided to leave Cao Cao’s service to return to Liu Bei, keeping his promise to stay loyal to Liu Bei. Cao Cao respected Guan Yu’s decision and did not try to stop him.

Returning to Liu Bei

When Cao Cao and Yuan Shao fought at the Battle of Guandu in 200, Yuan Shao sent Liu Bei to meet Liu Pi, a leader of the Yellow Turban rebels in Runan. During this time, Guan Yu met up with Liu Bei again. Liu Bei and Liu Pi were defeated by Cao Cao's general Cao Ren. Liu Bei then went back to Yuan Shao but secretly planned to leave. He tried to convince Yuan Shao to team up with Liu Biao, the leader of Jing Province. Liu Bei had to flee south and was given shelter by Liu Biao, who let him lead the town of Xinye. Guan Yu went with Liu Bei to Xinye.

Battle of Red Cliffs and aftermath

See also: Battle of Red Cliffs and Battle of Jiangling (208)

When a leader named Liu Biao passed away in 208, his younger son, Liu Cong, decided to give up Jing Province to another leader, Cao Cao. Liu Bei had to move his group to a safer place called Xiakou. Along the way, Liu Bei split his group. One part, led by Guan Yu, sailed along the river to a place called Jiangling. The other part, led by Liu Bei himself, traveled over land.

Cao Cao sent soldiers to chase Liu Bei’s group. They caught up at a place called Changban, leading to a battle. Liu Bei and his group managed to escape and meet up with Guan Yu’s group at Han Ford. Together, they sailed to Xiakou.

Later in 208, Liu Bei teamed up with Sun Quan. Together, they won a big battle against Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs. After losing this battle, Cao Cao went back north and left one of his generals, Cao Ren, to protect Jing Province.

During another battle at Jiangling, Guan Yu was placed at the northern routes to stop Cao Ren’s supplies. Though some of Cao Cao’s soldiers tried to fight Guan Yu, they were not successful. Eventually, Liu Bei made Guan Yu the leader of Xiangyang and a general, and told him to stay near the Yangtze River.

Guarding Jing Province

Between 212 and 214, Liu Bei started trying to take control of Yi Province from the governor Liu Zhang. While most of Liu Bei’s followers went with him, Guan Yu stayed to protect Liu Bei’s lands in Jing Province.

Sun-Liu territorial dispute

Main article: Sun–Liu territorial dispute

In the mid-210s, there was a disagreement between Liu Bei and Sun Quan about land in southern Jing Province. Liu Bei had used this area as a temporary base but was asked to give some of it back after taking Yi Province. When Liu Bei said no, Sun Quan sent his general Lü Meng to take the land back. Guan Yu was told to stop Lü Meng’s army. One of Lü Meng’s men, Gan Ning, stopped Guan Yu from crossing shallow waters near Yiyang. These waters were later called 'Guan Yu's Shallows'. In the end, both sides agreed to share southern Jing Province along the Xiang River and pulled their troops back.

Battle of Fancheng

Main article: Battle of Fancheng

In 219, after Liu Bei won the Hanzhong Campaign against Cao Cao, he made Guan Yu the General of the Vanguard and gave him a special axe. That year, Guan Yu led his soldiers to attack Cao Ren at Fancheng and surround the fortress. Cao Cao sent Yu Jin with more troops to help, but heavy rains caused the Han River to flood and destroyed Yu Jin's army. Guan Yu was ready for this and moved his navy during the flood. Yu Jin gave up to Guan Yu. One of Yu Jin's men, Pang De, refused and was killed by Guan Yu. Some local leaders joined Guan Yu because they did not like Cao Cao's strict rules.

Guan Yu became very famous across China. Before the battle, Guan Yu had dreamed of a boar biting his foot and told his son Guan Ping he might not come back safely.

Losing Jing Province

Main article: Lü Meng's invasion of Jing Province

Guan Yu had won a battle and captured an enemy leader, but his army needed more food. He took grain from a place controlled by another leader named Sun Quan. Without Guan Yu knowing, Sun Quan had agreed to work with a powerful rival named Cao Cao. Sun Quan sent his general Lü Meng to attack Guan Yu’s land, hiding his soldiers in boats that looked like normal ships.

Guan Yu had left two of his officers, Mi Fang and Shi Ren, to guard important places. Because Guan Yu had treated them unfairly, they allowed Sun Quan’s forces to take over when Lü Meng arrived. Because of this, most of Guan Yu’s land in Jing Province was lost to Sun Quan.

Death

Guan Yu was captured with his son Guan Ping by Sun Quan's forces. They were taken to Linju and later executed.

After Guan Yu died, Sun Quan sent his head to Cao Cao, who gave him a special funeral. Later, Liu Shan gave Guan Yu an important title called "Marquis Zhuangmou."

Anecdotes

Request to take Qin Yilu's wife

See also: Qin Yilu

During the Battle of Xiapi, Guan Yu asked Cao Cao to let him marry Qin Yilu's wife, Lady Du. Cao Cao said yes at first, but later decided to keep Lady Du for himself.

Advice to Liu Bei

Guan Yu once told Liu Bei to catch Cao Cao during a hunting trip, but Liu Bei said no. Later, when Liu Bei had trouble, Guan Yu reminded him of this. Liu Bei thought his choice was right and hoped things would be okay.

Asking Zhuge Liang about Ma Chao

When Ma Chao joined Liu Bei's group in 214, Guan Yu wrote to Zhuge Liang asking who could match Ma Chao. Zhuge Liang said Ma Chao was very skilled and strong, like other great warriors.

Arm injury

Guan Yu was hurt in his left arm by an arrow. A doctor said the arrow had poison and needed to be taken out right away. Guan Yu had the surgery while he was eating and talking with his friends, showing he was very brave.

Family

Guan Yu had two known sons, Guan Ping and Guan Xing. Guan Xing took over his father's important title and served in the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period. Guan Yu also had a daughter. There were stories about her, calling her "Guan Yinping" or "Guan Feng," especially in folktales, Chinese opera, and the Dynasty Warriors video game.

Guan Xing's son, Guan Tong, married a princess, one of Liu Shan's daughters. When Guan Tong died, his younger half-brother Guan Yi took over for him.

After the fall of Shu, Pang Hui led a group that honored Guan Yu's memory. Many years later, the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty gave an important title to Guan Yu's descendants in Luoyang. This title allowed them to hold a special position in the Hanlin Academy.

Appraisal

Chen Shou, who wrote Guan Yu's story in the Sanguozhi, described him like this: Guan Yu and his friend Zhang Fei were very strong warriors. They were brave and powerful, like tigers among Liu Bei's followers. Guan Yu was known for being loyal, even when others were not kind to him. He could also be very stubborn and proud, which sometimes caused him trouble.

Worship

Guan Yu has been honored as a holy figure since the Sui dynasty (581–618). Today, many people still respect him as a wise guide in Buddhist traditions and as a protector in Chinese folk beliefs and Taoism. He is also admired in Confucianism and some newer religious groups.

In Chinese folk beliefs, Guan Yu is called "Emperor Guan" and "Lord Guan." Many special temples and shrines dedicated to him can be found in places like mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan. Some of these temples are built like royal homes to show his important role. Examples include the Haizhou Guandi Temple in Shanxi and temples in Jinan and Luoyang.

Guan Yu has been given many important titles by leaders from different times. For example, during the Song dynasty, he was called "Duke Zhōnghùi." Later, during the Qing dynasty, he was called "Guan, the Loyal and Righteous God of War."

People believe that Guan Yu helped in many important battles and events. His spirit was thought to guide and protect people, even in later times.

Today, Guan Yu is still respected by many. Shrines and small temples for him can be found in homes, businesses, and special groups. In Hong Kong, police stations often have a place to honor him. Some other groups also respect him, though in different ways.

Guan Yu is also seen as a protector of wealth and good business. Many shops and offices have small shrines for him at their entrances, hoping for good luck and success.

In Chinese religion

Many temples and shrines across China and other parts of the world are devoted to Guan Yu. These include places in South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Macau, Thailand, Indonesia, and the United States, such as the Mendocino Joss House in California.

In Taoism

In Taoism, Guan Yu is called "Holy Ruler Deity Guan." Stories tell of him helping to solve problems and protecting important places. Each year, special events are held to honor him.

In Buddhism

In Chinese Buddhism, Guan Yu is seen as a protector of Buddhist teachings. Stories say he helped build temples and taught important lessons about kindness and wisdom.

Notable Guandi temples worldwide (outside mainland China)

• Dongmyo (東關王廟) in Seoul, South Korea (built in 1601)
• Miếu Quan Công in Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam (built in 1653)
• State Temple of the Martial God (祀典武廟) in Tainan, Taiwan (built in 1663)
• Old Chinese Temple of Seven Prefectures (七府古廟) in Bien Hoa, Vietnam (built in 1684)
• Kuan Tai Temple (Sam Kai Vui Kun) in Macau (built in 1750)
• Gong Wu Shrine, in Bangkok, Thailand
• Kwan Sing Bio Temple (Klenteng Kwan Sing Bio) in Tuban, Indonesia (built in 1773)
• Chùa Ông Quan Đế Miếu in Bac Lieu, Vietnam (built in 1835)
• Temple of Kwan Tai in Mendocino, California, United States (built in 1854)
• See Yup temple in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (built in 1866 on site of earlier 1856 temple)
• Guandi Temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (built in 1887)
• Sam Sing Kung Temple in Sabah, Malaysia (built in 1887)
• Sze Yup Kwan Ti Temple in Glebe, New South Wales, Australia (built in 1898)
• Yiu Ming Temple in Alexandria, New South Wales, Australia (built in 1907)
• Yuqing Temple in Miaoli, Taiwan (built in 1906)
• Chinese Temple of Dili in East Timor (built in 1928)
• Xingtian Temple in Taipei, Taiwan (built in 1967)
• Kwan Kung Pavilion in Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong (built in 1973)
• Setia Budi Temple at Jalan Irian Barat Medan, Indonesia (built in 1908)
• Santiago Chinese Temple in Santiago, Isabela, Philippines
• Kwan Ti Temple in Serian Sarawak Borneo (direct lineage from China)

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

The famous Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms tells the story of Guan Yu as a brave and loyal hero. The book changed parts of his story, which is why many people in China see him this way.

You can read more about some made-up tales from the book that include Guan Yu by looking at these topics:

• Oath of the Peach Garden
• Battle of Hulao Pass
• List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms#Guan Yu's three conditions
• List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms#Guan Yu slays Yan Liang and Wen Chou
• List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms#Guan Yu crosses five passes and slays six generals
• List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms#Guan Yu slays Cai Yang at Gucheng
• List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms#Guan Yu releases Cao Cao at Huarong Trail
• Sun–Liu territorial dispute#In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
• List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms#Hua Tuo heals Guan Yu's arm
• Lü Meng#In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
• List of fictitious stories in Romance of the Three Kingdoms#Events after Guan Yu's death

In popular culture

Guan Yu is a popular character in many stories, shows, and games. In Chinese opera, he wears a green uniform and a red face to show his bravery. He carries a famous sword called the Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

Many actors have played Guan Yu in movies and TV shows. He appears in video games like the Dynasty Warriors series and Total War: Three Kingdoms. Some cards in the game Magic: The Gathering feature him too. In the game Hades, a special weapon form is named after him. Coins from places like Niue also show Guan Yu.

In modern politics

When talking about changing prices in China, leader Deng Xiaoping used a story about Guan Yu. The story is from an old book called Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Deng spoke about how Guan Yu faced many challenges. He used this to show that changing prices in China would be hard and risky, but needed.