View source for Guan Yu

{{Short description|Chinese general (died 220)}}
{{Redirect2|Guan Gong|Guandi|other uses|Guan Gong (disambiguation)|and|Guandi (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|Guan Yunchang|the 2011 film|The Lost Bladesman}}
{{redirect|Guanyu|the racing driver|Zhou Guanyu}}
{{family name hatnote|[[Guān (surname)|Guan]]|lang=Chinese}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Guan Yu
| native_name         = {{langn|zh|關羽}}
| image               = Guanyu-1.jpg
| caption             = A portrait of Guan Yu in the ''[[Sancai Tuhui]]''
| office              = General of the Vanguard ({{langn|zh|前將軍}})
| term_start          = {{Start date|219}}
| term_end            = {{End date|220}}
| monarch             =
* [[Liu Bei]] (King of Hanzhong)
* [[Emperor Xian of Han]]
| office1             = General Who Defeats Bandits ({{langn|zh|盪寇將軍}}; under Liu Bei)
| monarch1            = Emperor Xian of Han
| term_start1         = {{Start date|{{circa}} 211}}
| term_end1           = {{End date|219}}
| office2             = Administrator of Xiangyang ({{langn|zh|襄陽太守}}; under Liu Bei)
| monarch2            = Emperor Xian of Han
| term_start2         = {{Start date|{{circa|211}}}}
| term_end2           = {{End date|219}}
| office3             = Lieutenant-general ({{langn|zh|偏將軍}})
| term_start3         = {{Start date|200}}
| term_end3           = {{End date|{{circa|211}}}}
| monarch3            = Emperor Xian of Han
| birth_date          = Unknown<!--DO NOT change the birth date unless you have a reliable source.-->
| birth_place         = Xie County, [[Hedong Commandery]], Han dynasty (present-day [[Yuncheng]], Shanxi)
| death_date          = January or February 220{{efn|name=death date|The ''Zizhi Tongjian'' recorded that Guan Yu was captured and executed in the 12th month of the 24th year of the Jian'an era of the reign of [[Emperor Xian of Han]].<ref>({{lang|zh|[建安二十四年]十二月，璋司馬馬忠獲羽及其子平於章鄉，斬之，遂定荊州。}}) ''Zizhi Tongjian'' vol. 68.</ref> This month corresponds to 23 January to 21 February 220 in the Julian and the proleptic Gregorian calendars.}}
| death_place         = Linju County, Xiangyang Commandery, Han dynasty (present-day [[Nanzhang County]], Hubei)
| children            = {{unbulleted list|[[Guan Ping]]|[[Guan Xing]]|[[Guan Yinping]]}}
| occupation          = General
| blank1              = [[Courtesy name]]
| data1               = Yunchang ({{langn|zh|雲長}})
| blank2              = [[Posthumous name]]
| data2               = Marquis Zhuangmou ({{langn|zh|壯繆侯}})
| blank3              = Peerage
| data3               = Marquis of Hanshou Village {{nwr|({{langn|zh|漢壽亭侯}})}}
| blank4              = Deity names
| data4               = * Guan Di ({{lang|zh|關帝}}; "Emperor Guan")
* Guan Gong ({{lang|zh|關公}}; "Lord Guan")
* Guan Sheng Di Jun ({{lang|zh|關聖帝君}}; "Holy Ruler Deity Guan")
* Sangharama Bodhisattva ({{lang|zh|伽藍菩薩}})
| blank5              = Other names
| data5               = * Guan Er Ye ({{lang|zh|關二爺}}; "Lord Guan the Second")
* Guan Er Ge; {{lang|zh|關二哥}}; "Guan the Second Brother")
* Mei Ran Gong ({{lang|zh|美髯公}}; "Lord of the Magnificent Beard")
* Changsheng ({{lang|zh|長生}})
* Shouchang ({{lang|zh|壽長}})
* ''See [[#In Chinese religion|this section]] for more posthumous titles''
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Guan Yu (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = "Guan Yu" in [[Traditional Chinese characters|traditional]] (top) and [[Simplified Chinese characters|simplified]] (bottom) Chinese characters
| picupright = 0.4
| t = 關羽
| s = 关羽
| p = {{Audio|Guan Yu.ogg|Guān Yǔ|help=no}}
| w = {{tonesup|Kuan1 Yü3}}
| myr = Gwān Yǔ
| bpmf = ㄍㄨㄢ&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ㄩˇ
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|g|wan|1|-|yu|3}}
| showflag = p
| suz = Kue Yû
| j = Gwaan1 Jyu5
| y = Gwāan Yúh
| ci = {{IPAc-yue|gw|aan|1|-|j|yu|5}}
| poj = Koan Ú
| tl = Kuan Ú
}}
'''Guan Yu''' ({{IPAc-cmn|AUD|Guan Yu.ogg|g|uan|1|-|yu|3}}; <!--DO NOT add the birth date unless you have a reliable source.-->{{died in|January or February 220}}{{efn|name=death date}}), [[courtesy name]] '''Yunchang''', was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord [[Liu Bei]] during the late [[Eastern Han dynasty]] of China. Along with [[Zhang Fei]], he shared a brotherly relationship with Liu Bei and accompanied him on most of his early exploits. Guan Yu played a significant role in the events leading up to the [[end of the Han dynasty]] and the establishment of Liu Bei's state of [[Shu Han]] during the [[Three Kingdoms]] period. While he is remembered for his loyalty towards Liu Bei, he is also known for repaying [[Cao Cao]]'s kindness by slaying [[Yan Liang]], a general under Cao Cao's rival [[Yuan Shao]], at the [[Battle of Boma]]. After Liu Bei gained control of [[Yi Province]] in 214, Guan Yu remained in [[Jing Province]] to govern and defend the area for about seven years. In 219, while he was away fighting [[Cao Cao]]'s forces at the [[Battle of Fancheng]], Liu Bei's ally [[Sun Quan]] broke the Sun–Liu alliance and sent his general [[Lü Meng]] to [[Lü Meng's invasion of Jing Province|conquer Liu Bei's territories in Jing Province]]. By the time Guan Yu learned about the loss of Jing Province after his defeat at Fancheng, it was too late. He was subsequently captured in an ambush by Sun Quan's forces and executed at Linju, [[Xiangyang|Xiangyang Commandery]] ({{lang|zh|臨沮}}, present-day [[Nanzhang County]], [[Xiangyang City]], [[Hubei]]). {{sfnp|Perkins|1999|p=192}}
Guan Yu's life was lionised and his achievements were glorified to such an extent after his death that he was deified during the [[Sui dynasty]]. Through generations of storytelling, culminating in the 14th-century historical novel ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'', his deeds and moral qualities have been emphasized immensely, making Guan Yu one of East Asia's most popular paradigms of loyalty and righteousness. He is remembered as a [[culture hero]] in Chinese culture and is still worshipped by many people of Chinese descent in China, Taiwan, and other countries today. In religious devotion, he is reverentially called the "Emperor Guan" (''Guān Dì'') or "Lord Guan" (''Guān Gōng''). He is a deity worshipped in [[Chinese folk religion]], popular [[Confucianism]], [[Taoism]], and [[Chinese Buddhism]], and small shrines to him are almost ubiquitous in traditional Chinese shops and restaurants.
==Historical sources==
The authoritative historical source on Guan Yu's life is the ''[[Records of the Three Kingdoms]]'' (''Sanguozhi'') written by [[Chen Shou]] in the third century. During the fifth century, [[Pei Songzhi]] [[Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms|annotated the ''Sanguozhi'']] by incorporating information from other sources to Chen Shou's original work and adding his personal comments. Some alternative texts used in the annotations to Guan Yu's biography include: ''Shu Ji'' (''Records of Shu''), by Wang Yin; ''Wei Shu'' (''Book of Wei''), by [[Wang Chen (Three Kingdoms)|Wang Chen]], [[Xun Yi]] and [[Ruan Ji]]; ''Jiang Biao Zhuan'', by Yu Pu; ''Fu Zi'', by [[Fu Xuan]]; ''Dianlue'', by [[Yu Huan]]; ''Wu Li'' (''History of Wu''), by Hu Chong; and ''[[Chronicles of Huayang]]'', by [[Chang Qu]].
==Physical appearance==
[[File:义勇武安王像 hermitage museum.jpg|thumb|Woodblock print of Guan Yu found in Khara-Khoto. One of the earliest illustrations of Guan Yu discovered.]]
No explicit descriptions of Guan Yu's physical appearance exist in historical records. However, the ''Sanguozhi'' recorded that [[Zhuge Liang]] once referred to Guan Yu as having a "peerless beard".{{efn|name=beard}}
Traditionally, Guan Yu is portrayed as a red-faced warrior with a long, lush beard. The idea of his red face may have been derived from a description of him in Chapter 1 of the 14th-century historical novel ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'', where the following passage appears:<ref>''RotK'', "ch. 1". quote: ({{lang|zh|玄德看其人，身長九尺，髯長二尺；面如重棗，脣若塗脂；丹鳳眼，臥蠶眉；相貌堂堂，威風凜凜。}})</ref>
{{blockquote|"[[Liu Bei|Xuande]] took a look at the man, who stood at a height of nine ''[[Chi (unit)|chi]]'',{{efn|In the Eastern Han dynasty, one ''chi'' was approximately 23.1&nbsp;cm, nine ''chi'' was approximately 2.079&nbsp;metres (6&nbsp;feet, 9.85&nbsp;inches).{{sfnp|Hulsewé|1961|pp=206–207}}{{sfnp|Dubs|1938|pp=276–280}}{{sfnp|Dubs|1938|p=160}} }} and had a two ''chi''{{efn|In the Eastern Han dynasty, one ''chi'' was approximately 23.1&nbsp;cm, two ''chi'' was approximately 46.2&nbsp;cm (≈18&nbsp;inches)}} long beard; his face was of the colour of a dark ''[[Jujube|zao]]'',{{efn|His face had a dark red hue to it, like the colour of dark jujube fruit.}} with lips that were red and plump; his eyes were like those of a crimson phoenix,{{efn|The corners of his eyes were upturned}} and his eyebrows resembled reclining [[silkworm]]s.{{efn|They were long and tapered.}} He had a dignified air and looked quite majestic."}}
Alternatively, the idea of his red face could have been borrowed from opera representation, where red faces represented loyalty and righteousness.{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}} In illustrations of ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'', Guan Yu is traditionally depicted wearing a green robe over his body armour.
In ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'', Guan Yu's weapon was a ''[[guandao]]'' named [[Green Dragon Crescent Blade]], which resembled a [[glaive]] and was said to weigh 82 [[Catty|catties]] (about 49&nbsp;kg or 108&nbsp;lbs).<ref>''RotK'', ch. 1. quote: ({{lang|zh|雲長造青龍偃月刀，又名冷艷鋸，重八十二斤。}})</ref>
==Early life and career==
[[File:Three Brothers edit.jpg|thumb|upright|Liu Bei (left), Guan Yu (back), and Zhang Fei (right) in an illustration by Japanese painter Sakurai Sekkan (1715–90)]]
Guan Yu was from Xie County ({{lang|zh|解縣}}), [[Hedong Commandery]], which is present-day [[Yuncheng]], [[Shanxi]]. His original [[courtesy name]] was Changsheng ({{lang|zh|長生}}).<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|關羽字雲長，本字長生，河東解人也。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref> He was very studious, and was interested in the ancient history book ''[[Zuo zhuan]]'' and could fluently recite lines from it.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|斯人长而好学，读左传略皆上口[...]}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 54.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|江表傳云：羽好左氏傳，諷誦略皆上口。}}) ''Jiang Biao Zhuan'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref> He fled from his hometown for unknown reasons{{efn|While the term {{lang|zh|亡命}} (''wáng mìng'') implies criminal activity in modern use, during the Eastern Han dynasty it merely referred to someone who cancelled his registration in the local registers by fleeing his county of origin.{{sfnp|ter Haar|2017|loc=p. 3, note 4}}}} and went to [[Zhuo Commandery]]. When the [[Yellow Turban Rebellion]] broke out in the 180s, Guan Yu and [[Zhang Fei]] joined a volunteer militia formed by [[Liu Bei]], and they assisted a colonel [[Zou Jing (Eastern Han)|Zou Jing]] in suppressing the revolt.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|亡命奔涿郡。先主於鄉里合徒衆，而羽與張飛為之禦侮。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|靈帝末，黃巾起，州郡各舉義兵，先主率其屬從校尉鄒靖討黃巾賊有功，除安喜尉。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 32.</ref> Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were known as stalwart and strong men; which made them talented fighters.<ref>(河東關羽雲長，同郡張飛益德，並以壯烈，禦侮。) ''Huayang Guo Zhi'' vol. 6.</ref>
When Liu Bei was appointed as the Minister ({{lang|zh|相}}) of [[Pingyuan State|Pingyuan]], Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were appointed as Majors of Separate Command ({{lang|zh|别部司马}}), each commanding detachments of soldiers under Liu Bei. Liu Bei cherished them as if they were his own brothers and the three of them were as close as brothers to the point of sharing the same room, sleeping on the same mat and eating from the same pot.<ref>(先主與二子寢則同床，食則共器，恩若弟兄。然於稠人廣眾中，侍立終日。) ''Huayang Guo Zhi'' vol. 6.</ref> Zhang Fei and Guan Yu protected Liu Bei whenever there were large crowds of people and also stood guard beside him when he sat down at meetings all day long. They followed him on his exploits and were always ready to face any danger and hardship.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|先主為平原相，以羽、飛為別部司馬，分統部曲。先主與二人寢則同牀，恩若兄弟。而稠人廣坐，侍立終日，隨先主周旋，不避艱險。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref> And for their military prowess were appraised as "enemy of ten-thousand".<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|嘉言于太祖曰：“备有雄才而甚得众心。张飞、关羽者，皆万人之敌也，为之死用。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 14.</ref> Guan Yu was noted for his kindness towards his soldiers and fealty to Liu Bei akin to family, but had no respect for the gentry and treated them without courtesy.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|关羽与备，义为君臣，恩犹父子。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 14.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|羽善待卒伍而骄於士大夫。}})''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|关、张赳赳，出身匡世，扶翼携上，雄壮虎烈。藩屏左右，翻飞电发，济于艰难，赞主洪业，侔迹韩、耿，齐声双德。交待无礼，并致奸 慝，悼惟轻虑，陨身匡国。
}})''Sanguozhi'' vol. 45.</ref>
==Short service under Cao Cao==
===Background===
[[Liu Bei]] and his men followed [[Cao Cao]] back to the imperial capital [[Xuchang|Xu]] after their victory over [[Lü Bu]] at the [[Battle of Xiapi]] in 198. About a year later, Liu Bei and his followers escaped from Xu under the pretext of helping Cao Cao lead an army to attack [[Yuan Shu]]. Liu Bei went to [[Xu Province]], killed the provincial inspector Che Zhou ({{lang|zh|車冑}}), and seized control of the province. He moved to [[Xiaopei]] and left Guan Yu in charge of the provincial capital [[Xiapi]].<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|先主之襲殺徐州刺史車冑，使羽守下邳城，行太守事，而身還小沛。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|先主據下邳。靈等還，先主乃殺徐州刺史車冑，留關羽守下邳，而身還小沛。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 32.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|魏書云：以羽領徐州。}}) ''Wei Shu'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
In 200, Cao Cao led his forces to attack Liu Bei, defeated him and retook Xu Province. Liu Bei fled to northern China and found refuge under Cao Cao's rival [[Yuan Shao]], while Guan Yu was captured by Cao Cao's forces and brought back to Xu. Cao Cao treated Guan Yu respectfully and asked [[Emperor Xian of Han|Emperor Xian]] to appoint Guan Yu as a Lieutenant-General ({{lang|zh|偏將軍}}).<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|建安五年，曹公東征，先主奔袁紹。曹公禽羽以歸，拜為偏將軍，禮之甚厚。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|五年，曹公東征先主，先主敗績。曹公盡收其衆，虜先主妻子，并禽關羽以歸。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 32.</ref>
===Battle of Boma===
{{main|Battle of Boma}}
Later that year, Yuan Shao sent his general [[Yan Liang]] to lead an army to attack Cao Cao's garrison at Boma ({{lang|zh|白馬}}; near present-day [[Hua County]], [[Henan]]), which was defended by Liu Yan ({{lang|zh|劉延}}). Cao Cao sent [[Zhang Liao]] and Guan Yu to lead the vanguard to engage the enemy. In the midst of battle, Guan Yu recognised Yan Liang's parasol so he charged towards Yan Liang, decapitated him and returned with his head. Yan Liang's men could not stop him. With Yan Liang's death, the siege on Boma was lifted. On Cao Cao's recommendation, Emperor Xian awarded Guan Yu the peerage of "Marquis{{efn|The peerage of marquis was divided into three grades during the [[Han dynasty]] and [[Three Kingdoms]] period. These are, in ascending order of prestige, ''tinghou'' ({{lang|zh|亭侯}}; village marquis), ''xianghou'' ({{lang|zh|郷侯}}; district marquis) and ''xianhou'' ({{lang|zh|縣侯}}; county marquis). Guan Yu's was the first.}} of Hanshou Village" ({{lang|zh|漢壽亭侯}}).<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|紹遣大將軍顏良攻東郡太守劉延於白馬，曹公使張遼及羽為先鋒擊之。羽望見良麾蓋，策馬刺良於萬衆之中，斬其首還，紹諸將莫能當者，遂解白馬圍。曹公即表封羽為漢壽亭侯。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
===Leaving Cao Cao===
Although Cao Cao admired Guan Yu's character, he also sensed that Guan Yu had no intention of serving under him for long. He told Zhang Liao, "Why don't you make use of your friendship with Guan Yu to find out what he wants?" When Zhang Liao asked him, Guan Yu replied, "I am aware that Lord Cao treats me very generously. However, I have also received many favours from General Liu and I have sworn to follow him until I die. I cannot break my oath. I will leave eventually, so maybe you can help me convey my message to Lord Cao." Zhang Liao did so, and Cao Cao was even more impressed with Guan Yu.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|初，曹公壯羽為人，而察其心神無乆留之意，謂張遼曰：「卿試以情問之。」旣而遼以問羽，羽歎曰：「吾極知曹公待我厚，然吾受劉將軍厚恩，誓以共死，不可背之。吾終不留，吾要當立效以報曹公乃去。」遼以羽言報曹公，曹公義之。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref> The ''Fu Zi'' gave a slightly different account of this incident. It recorded that Zhang Liao faced a dilemma of whether or not to convey Guan Yu's message to Cao Cao: if he did, Cao Cao might execute Guan Yu; if he did not, he would be failing in his service to Cao Cao. He sighed, "Lord Cao is my superior and he is like a father to me, while Guan Yu is like a brother to me." He eventually decided to tell Cao Cao. Cao Cao said, "A subject who serves his lord but doesn't forget his origins is truly a man of righteousness. When do you think he will leave?" Zhang Liao replied, "Guan Yu has received favours from Your Excellency. He will most probably leave after he has repaid your kindness."<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|傅子曰：遼欲白太祖，恐太祖殺羽，不白，非事君之道，乃歎曰：「公，君父也；羽，兄弟耳。」遂白之。太祖曰：「事君不忘其本，天下義士也。度何時能去？」遼曰：「羽受公恩，必立效報公而後去也。」}}) ''Fu Zi'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
After Guan Yu slew Yan Liang and lifted the siege on Baima, Cao Cao knew that he would leave soon so he gave Guan Yu greater rewards. Guan Yu sealed up all the gifts he received from Cao Cao, wrote a farewell letter, and headed towards Yuan Shao's territory to find Liu Bei. Cao Cao's subordinates wanted to pursue Guan Yu, but Cao Cao stopped them and said, "He's just doing his duty to his lord. There's no need to pursue him."<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|及羽殺顏良，曹公知其必去，重加賞賜。羽盡封其所賜，拜書告辭，而奔先主於袁軍。左右欲追之，曹公曰：「彼各為其主，勿追也。」}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
[[Pei Songzhi]] commented on this as follows: "Cao Cao admired Guan Yu's character even though he knew that Guan Yu would not remain under him. He did not send his men to pursue Guan Yu when Guan Yu left, so as to allow Guan Yu to fulfil his allegiance (to Liu Bei). If he was not as magnanimous as a great warlord should be, how would he allow this to happen? This was an example of Cao Cao's goodness."<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|臣松之以為曹公知羽不留而心嘉其志，去不遣追以成其義，自非有王霸之度，孰能至於此乎？斯實曹氏之休美。}}) Pei Songzhi's annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
==Returning to Liu Bei==
[[File:Guan yu -Summer Palace, Beijing.JPG|thumb|A mural of Guan Yu's "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles" ({{lang|zh|千里走單騎}}) in the [[Summer Palace]], [[Beijing]].]]
When [[Cao Cao]] and [[Yuan Shao]] clashed at the [[Battle of Guandu]] in 200, Yuan sent [[Liu Bei]] to contact Liu Pi ({{lang|zh|劉辟}}), a [[Yellow Turban Rebellion|Yellow Turban rebel]] chief in [[Runan Commandery|Runan]] ({{lang|zh|汝南}}), and assist Liu Pi in attacking the imperial capital Xu while Cao Cao was away at Guandu. Guan Yu reunited with Liu Bei around this time. Liu Bei and Liu Pi were defeated by Cao Cao's general [[Cao Ren]], after which Liu Bei returned to Yuan Shao. Liu Bei secretly planned to leave Yuan Shao, so he pretended to persuade Yuan Shao to form an alliance with [[Liu Biao]], the Governor of [[Jing Province]]. Yuan Shao sent Liu Bei to contact another rebel leader, Gong Du ({{lang|zh|共都/龔都}}), in Runan, where they gathered a few thousand soldiers. Cao Cao turned back and attacked Runan after scoring a decisive victory over Yuan Shao at Guandu. Liu Bei fled south and found shelter under Liu Biao, who put him in charge of [[Xinye]] at the northern border of Jing Province. Guan Yu followed Liu Bei to Xinye.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|曹公與袁紹相拒於官渡，汝南黃巾劉辟等叛曹公應紹。紹遣先主將兵與辟等略許下。關羽亡歸先主。曹公遣曹仁將兵擊先主，先主還紹軍，陰欲離紹，乃說紹南連荊州牧劉表。紹遣先主將本兵復至汝南，與賊龔都等合，衆數千人。 ... 曹公旣破紹，自南擊先主。先主遣麋笁、孫乾與劉表相聞，表自郊迎，以上賔禮待之，益其兵，使屯新野。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 32.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|從先主就劉表。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
==Battle of Red Cliffs and aftermath==
{{see also|Battle of Red Cliffs|Battle of Jiangling (208)}}
[[Liu Biao]] died in 208 and was succeeded by his younger son, [[Liu Cong (Han dynasty)|Liu Cong]], who surrendered [[Jing Province]] to [[Cao Cao]] when the latter started a campaign that year with the aim of wiping out opposing forces in southern China. [[Liu Bei]] evacuated Xinye together with his followers and they headed towards [[Hankou|Xiakou]], which was guarded by Liu Biao's elder son [[Liu Qi (Liu Biao's son)|Liu Qi]] and independent of Cao Cao's control. Along the journey, Liu Bei divided his party into two groups – one led by Guan Yu which would sail along the river towards [[Jingzhou|Jiangling]]; another led by Liu Bei which would travel on land. Cao Cao sent 5,000 elite cavalry to pursue Liu Bei's group and they caught up with them at Changban, where the [[Battle of Changban]] broke out. Liu Bei and his remaining followers managed to escape from Cao Cao's forces and reach Han Ford ({{lang|zh|漢津}}), where Guan Yu's group picked them up and they sailed to Xiakou together.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|聞先主已過，曹公將精騎五千急追之，一日一夜行三百餘里，及於當陽之長坂。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 32.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|表卒，曹公定荊州，先主自樊將南渡江，別遣羽乘船數百艘會江陵。曹公追至當陽長阪，先主斜趣漢津，適與羽船相值，共至夏口。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
In 208, Liu Bei allied with [[Sun Quan]] and they defeated Cao Cao at the decisive [[Battle of Red Cliffs]]. Cao Cao retreated north after his defeat and left [[Cao Ren]] behind to defend Jing Province.<ref group="Sanguozhi" name="auto">({{lang|zh|孫權遣兵佐先主拒曹公，曹公引軍退歸。先主收江南諸郡，乃封拜元勳，以羽為襄陽太守、盪寇將軍，駐江北。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref> During the [[Battle of Jiangling (208)|Battle of Jiangling]], Guan Yu was stationed at the northern routes to block Cao Ren's supply lines via infiltration. Li Tong engaged Guan Yu, attempting to support Cao Ren's forces, but died from illness during the campaign.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">(刘备与周瑜围曹仁於江陵，别遣关羽绝北道。通率众击之，下马拔鹿角入围，且战且前，以迎仁军，勇冠诸将。通道得病薨，时年四十二。)  ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 18.</ref> Xu Huang and Man Chong also engaged with Guan Yu in Hanjin({{lang|zh|漢津}}) in order support Cao Ren against Zhou Yu.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">(從征荊州，別屯樊，討中廬、臨沮、宜城賊。又與滿寵討關羽於漢津，與曹仁擊周瑜於江陵。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 17.</ref> Finally, Yue Jin, stationed in Xiangyang, defeated Guan Yu and Su Fei ({{lang|zh|蘇非}}) and drove them away.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|後從平荊州，留屯襄陽，擊關羽、蘇非等，皆走之， ...}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 17.</ref> After seizing and pacifying the various commanderies in southern Jing Province, Liu Bei appointed Guan Yu as the Administrator ({{lang|zh|太守}}) of Xiangyang and General Who Defeats Bandits ({{lang|zh|盪寇將軍}}), and ordered him to station at the north of the [[Yangtze River]].<ref group="Sanguozhi" name="auto"/>
==Guarding Jing Province==
Between 212 and 214, [[Liu Bei]] started [[Liu Bei's takeover of Yi Province|a campaign]] to seize control of [[Yi Province]] from the provincial governor [[Liu Zhang (warlord)|Liu Zhang]]. Most of Liu Bei's subordinates participated in the campaign, while Guan Yu remained behind to guard and oversee Liu Bei's territories in [[Jing Province]].<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|先主西定益州，拜羽董督荊州事。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
===Sun-Liu territorial dispute===
{{main|Sun–Liu territorial dispute}}
During the mid 210s, a territorial dispute broke out between Liu Bei and [[Sun Quan]] in southern Jing Province. According to an earlier arrangement, Liu Bei "borrowed" southern Jing Province from Sun Quan to serve as a temporary base; he would have to return the territories to Sun Quan once he found another base. After Liu Bei seized control of Yi Province, Sun Quan asked him to return three commanderies but Liu Bei refused. Sun Quan then sent his general [[Lü Meng]] to lead his forces to seize the three commanderies. In response, Liu Bei ordered Guan Yu to lead troops to stop Lü Meng.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|及羽與肅鄰界，數生狐疑，疆埸紛錯，肅常以歡好撫之。備旣定益州，權求長沙、零、桂，備不承旨，權遣呂蒙率衆進取。備聞，自還公安，遣羽爭三郡。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 54.</ref> [[Gan Ning]], one of Lü Meng's subordinates, managed to deter Guan Yu from crossing the shallows near [[Yiyang]]. The shallows were thus named '[[Gan Ning#Guan Yu's shallows|Guan Yu's Shallows]]' ({{lang|zh|關羽瀨}}).<ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|羽號有三萬人，自擇選銳士五千人，投縣上流十餘里淺瀨，云欲夜涉渡。肅與諸將議。 ... 肅便選千兵益寧，寧乃夜往。羽聞之，住不渡，而結柴營，今遂名此處為關羽瀨。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 55.</ref> [[Lu Su]] (the overall commander of Sun Quan's forces in Jing Province) later invited Guan Yu to attend a meeting to settle the territorial dispute. Around 215, after Cao Cao seized control of [[Hanzhong|Hanzhong Commandery]], Liu Bei saw that as a strategic threat to his position in Yi Province so he decided to make peace with Sun Quan and agreed to divide southern Jing Province between his and Sun Quan's domains along the [[Xiang River]]. Both sides then withdrew their forces.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|備遂割湘水為界，於是罷軍。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 54.</ref>
==Battle of Fancheng==
{{main|Battle of Fancheng}}
[[File:Shang Xi, Guan Yu Captures General Pang De.JPG|right|thumb|Guan Yu captures [[Pang De]], as depicted in a [[Ming dynasty painting]] by Shang Xi, {{circa}} 1430.]]
In 219, [[Liu Bei]] emerged victorious in the [[Hanzhong Campaign]] against [[Cao Cao]], after which he declared himself "King of Hanzhong" ({{lang|zh|漢中王}}). He appointed Guan Yu as General of the Vanguard ({{lang|zh|前將軍}}) and bestowed upon him a ceremonial axe. In the same year, Guan Yu led his forces to attack [[Cao Ren]] at [[Fancheng]] and besiege the fortress. Cao Cao sent [[Yu Jin]] to lead reinforcements to help Cao Ren. It was in autumn and there were heavy showers so the [[Hanshui|Han River]] overflowed. The flood destroyed Yu Jin's seven armies. Guan Yu had prepared his navy to advance during the flood, and Yu Jin surrendered to Guan Yu while his subordinate [[Pang De]] refused and was executed by Guan Yu. Various local officials such as Administrator of Nanxiang Fu Fang and Inspector Jing Province Hu Xiu defected to Guan Yu. Angered by Cao Cao's forced labor put upon them, rebel peasants and bandits in Liang({{lang|zh|梁}}), Jia({{lang|zh|郟}}) and Luhun({{lang|zh|陸渾}}) also submitted to Guan Yu and received official seals to work as his raiders. Guan Yu's fame spread throughout China.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|二十四年，先主為漢中王，拜羽為前將軍，假節鉞。是歲，羽率衆攻曹仁於樊。曹公遣于禁助仁。秋，大霖雨，漢水汎溢，禁所督七軍皆沒。禁降羽，羽又斬將軍龐德。梁郟、陸渾羣盜或遙受羽印號，為之支黨，羽威震華夏。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref><ref>《[[:s:Zizhi Tongjian|資治通鑑·卷六十八]]》：陸渾民孫狼等作亂，殺縣主簿，南附關羽。羽授狼印，給兵，還為寇賊，自許以南，往往遙應羽，羽威震華夏。''Zizhi Tongjian'' vol.68</ref>
The ''Shu Ji'' recorded that before Guan Yu embarked on the Fancheng campaign, he dreamt about a boar biting his foot. He told his son [[Guan Ping]], "I am growing weaker this year. I might not even return alive."<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|蜀記曰：羽初出軍圍樊，夢豬嚙其足，語子平曰：「吾今年衰矣，然不得還！」}}) ''Shu Ji'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
===Belittling Sun Quan===
With [[Liu Bei]] gaining Hanzhong as well as the northwest commanderies of Jing: Fangling, Shangyong and Xicheng; and now after Yu Jin's defeat, Cao Cao contemplated relocating the imperial capital from Xu further north into [[Hebei]] to avoid Guan Yu, but [[Sima Yi]] and [[Jiang Ji]] told him that [[Sun Quan]] would become restless when he heard of Guan Yu's victory. They suggested to Cao Cao to ally with Sun Quan and get him to help them hinder Guan Yu's advances; in return, Cao Cao would recognise the legitimacy of Sun Quan's claim over the territories in [[Jiangnan|Jiangdong]]. In this way, the siege on Fancheng would automatically be lifted. Cao Cao heeded their suggestion. Previously, Sun Quan had sent a messenger to meet Guan Yu and propose a marriage between his son and [[Guan Yinping|Guan Yu's daughter]]. However, Guan Yu not only rejected the proposal, but also scolded and humiliated the messenger. Sun Quan was enraged.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|曹公議徙許都以避其銳，司馬宣王、蔣濟以為關羽得志，孫權必不願也。可遣人勸權躡其後，許割江南以封權，則樊圍自解。曹公從之。先是，權遣使為子索羽女，羽罵辱其使，不許婚，權大怒。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
===Encounter with Xu Huang===
Cao Cao later sent [[Xu Huang]] to lead another army to reinforce Cao Ren at Fancheng. Xu Huang broke through Guan Yu's encirclement and routed Guan Yu's forces on the battlefield, thus lifting the siege on Fancheng.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|賊圍頭有屯，又別屯四冢。晃揚聲當攻圍頭屯，而密攻四冢。羽見四冢欲壞，自將步騎五千出戰，晃擊之，退走，遂追陷與俱入圍，破之，或自投沔水死。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 17.</ref> Guan Yu withdrew his forces after seeing that he could not capture Fancheng.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|而曹公遣徐晃救曹仁，羽不能克，引軍退還。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref> The ''Shu Ji'' recorded an incident about Xu Huang encountering Guan Yu on the battlefield. Xu Huang was previously a close friend of Guan Yu. They often chatted about other things apart from military affairs. When they met again at Fancheng, Xu Huang gave an order to his men: "Whoever takes Guan Yu's head will be rewarded with 1,000 ''[[Catty|jin]]'' of gold." A shocked Guan Yu asked Xu Huang, "Brother, what are you talking about?" Xu Huang replied, "This is an affair of the state."<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|蜀記曰：羽與晃宿相愛，遙共語，但說平生，不及軍事。須臾，晃下馬宣令：「得關雲長頭，賞金千斤。」羽驚怖，謂晃曰：「大兄，是何言邪！」晃曰：「此國之事耳。」}}) ''Shu Ji'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
==Losing Jing Province==
[[File:China Shanxi Ming dynasty - Buddhist deity GuanGong or Guan Yu - wood IMG 9575 Museum of Asian Civilisation.jpg|thumb|Wooden statue of Guan Yu in mountain pattern armour, 16th c. [[Ming dynasty]]]]
{{main|Lü Meng's invasion of Jing Province}}
Although Guan Yu defeated and captured [[Yu Jin]] at Fancheng, his army found itself lacking food supplies, so he seized grain from one of [[Sun Quan]]'s granaries at Xiang Pass ({{lang|zh|湘關}}). By then, Sun Quan had secretly agreed to an alliance with [[Cao Cao]] and sent [[Lü Meng]] and others to invade [[Jing Province]] while he followed behind with reinforcements. At Xunyang ({{lang|zh|尋陽}}), Lü Meng ordered his troops to hide in vessels disguised as civilian and merchant ships and sail towards Jing Province. Along the way, Lü Meng infiltrated and disabled the watchtowers set up by Guan Yu along the river, so Guan Yu was totally unaware of the invasion.<ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|羽果信之，稍撤兵以赴樊。魏使于禁救樊，羽盡禽禁等，人馬數萬，託以糧乏，擅取湘關米。權聞之，遂行，先遣蒙在前。蒙至尋陽，盡伏其精兵[][]中，使白衣搖櫓，作商賈人服，晝夜兼行，至羽所置江邊屯候，盡收縛之，是故羽不聞知。遂到南郡，士仁、麋芳皆降。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 54.</ref>
When Guan Yu embarked on the Fancheng campaign, he left [[Mi Fang]] and [[Shi Ren]] behind to defend his key bases in Jing Province – [[Nan Commandery]] and [[Gong'an County|Gong'an]]. Guan Yu had constantly treated them with contempt. During the campaign, after Mi Fang and Shi Ren sent insufficient supplies to Guan Yu's army at the frontline, an annoyed Guan Yu said, "I will deal with them when I return." Mi Fang and Shi Ren felt uneasy about this. When Sun Quan invaded Jing Province, Lü Meng showed understanding towards Mi Fang and successfully induced him into surrendering while [[Yu Fan]] also persuaded Shi Ren to give up resistance. With the exceptions of the northwest, Liu Bei's territories in Jing Province fell under Sun Quan's control after the surrenders of Mi Fang and Shi Ren.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|又南郡太守麋芳在江陵，將軍傅士仁屯公安，素皆嫌羽自輕己。羽之出軍，芳、仁供給軍資不悉相救。羽言「還當治之」，芳、仁咸懷懼不安。於是權陰誘芳、仁，芳、仁使人迎權。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
===Dubious account from the ''Dianlue''===
The ''Dianlue'' recorded: {{blockquote|When Guan Yu was besieging Fancheng, Sun Quan sent a messenger to Guan Yu to offer aid while secretly instructing the messenger to take his time to travel there. He then sent a registrar ahead to meet Guan Yu first. Guan Yu was unhappy that Sun Quan's offer came late because he had already captured [[Yu Jin]] by then. He scolded the messenger, "You [[raccoon dog]]s dare to behave like this! If I can conquer Fancheng, what makes you think I can't destroy you?" Although Sun Quan felt insulted by Guan Yu's response, he still wrote a letter to Guan Yu and pretended to apologise and offer to allow Guan Yu to pass through his territory freely.<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|典略曰：羽圍樊，權遣使求助之，勑使莫速進，又遣主簿先致命於羽。羽忿其淹遲，又自已得于禁等，乃罵曰：「狢子敢爾，如使樊城拔，吾不能滅汝邪！」權聞之，知其輕己，偽手書以謝羽，許以自往。}}) ''Dianlue'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>}}
Pei Songzhi commented on the ''Dianlue'' account as follows: {{blockquote|Although Liu Bei and Sun Quan appeared to get along harmoniously, they were actually distrustful of each other. When Sun Quan later attacked Guan Yu, he dispatched his forces secretly, as mentioned in Lü Meng's biography: '[...] elite soldiers hid in vessels disguised as civilian and merchant ships.' Based on this reasoning, even if Guan Yu did not seek help from Sun Quan, the latter would not mention anything about granting Guan Yu free passage in his territory. If they genuinely wished to help each other, why would they conceal their movements from each other?<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|臣松之以為荊、吳雖外睦，而內相猜防，故權之襲羽，潛師密發。按呂蒙傳云：「伏精兵於[][]之中，使白衣搖櫓，作商賈服。」以此言之，羽不求助於權，權必不語羽當往也。若許相援助，何故匿其形迹乎？}}) Pei Songzhi's annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>}}
==Death==
[[File:Statue of Three Kingdoms Hero Guan Yu.jpg|thumb|Bronze statue of Guan Yu in mountain pattern armour, [[Ming dynasty]]]]
By the time Guan Yu retreated from Fancheng, [[Sun Quan]]'s forces had occupied Jiangling and captured the families of Guan Yu's soldiers. [[Lü Meng]] ordered his troops to treat the civilians well and ensure that they were not harmed.{{efn|See [[Lü Meng#Invasion of Jing Province]] for details.}} Most of Guan Yu's soldiers lost their fighting spirit and deserted and went back to Jing Province to reunite with their families. Guan Yu knew that he had been isolated so he withdrew to Maicheng ({{lang|zh|麥城}}; in present-day [[Dangyang]], Hubei) and headed west to Zhang District ({{lang|zh|漳鄉}}), where his remaining men deserted him and surrendered to the enemy. Sun Quan sent [[Zhu Ran]] and [[Pan Zhang]] to block Guan Yu's retreat route. Guan Yu, along with his son [[Guan Ping]] and subordinate Zhao Lei ({{lang|zh|趙累}}), were captured alive by Pan Zhang's deputy Ma Zhong ({{lang|zh|馬忠}}) in an ambush. Guan Yu and Guan Ping were later executed by Sun Quan's forces in Linju ({{lang|zh|臨沮}}; in present-day [[Nanzhang County]], Hubei).<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|權已據江陵，盡虜羽士衆妻子，羽軍遂散。權遣將逆擊羽，斬羽及子平于臨沮。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|會權尋至，羽自知孤窮，乃走麥城，西至漳鄉，衆皆委羽而降。權使朱然、潘璋斷其徑路，即父子俱獲，荊州遂定。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 54.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|權征關羽，璋與朱然斷羽走道，到臨沮，住夾石。璋部下司馬馬忠禽羽，并羽子平、都督趙累等。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 55.</ref>
===Alternate account from the ''Shu Ji''===
The ''Shu Ji'' mentioned that Sun Quan initially wanted to keep Guan Yu alive in the hope of using Guan Yu to help him counter Liu Bei and Cao Cao. However, his followers advised him against doing so by saying, "A wolf shouldn't be kept as a pet as it'll bring harm to the keeper. Cao Cao made a mistake when he refused to kill Guan Yu and landed himself in deep trouble. He even had to consider relocating the imperial capital elsewhere. How can Guan Yu be allowed to live?" Sun Quan then ordered Guan Yu's execution.<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|蜀記曰：權遣將軍擊羽，獲羽及子平。權欲活羽以敵劉、曹，左右曰：「狼子不可養，後必為害。曹公不即除之，自取大患，乃議徙都。今豈可生！」乃斬之。}}) ''Shu Ji'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
Pei Songzhi disputed this account as follows: {{blockquote|According to ([[Wei Zhao (Three Kingdoms)|Wei Zhao]]'s) ''Book of Wu'', when Sun Quan sent Pan Zhang to block Guan Yu's retreat route, Guan Yu was executed after he was captured. Linju was about 200 to 300 ''[[Li (unit)|li]]'' away from Jiangling, so how was it possible that Guan Yu was kept alive while Sun Quan and his subjects discussed whether to execute him or not? The claim that 'Sun Quan wanted to keep Guan Yu alive for the purpose of using him to counter Liu Bei and Cao Cao' does not make sense. It was probably meant to silence smart people.<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|臣松之桉吳書：孫權遣將潘璋逆斷羽走路，羽至即斬，且臨沮去江陵二三百里，豈容不時殺羽，方議其生死乎？又云「權欲活羽以敵劉、曹」，此之不然，可以絕智者之口。}}) Pei Songzhi's annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
}}
===Posthumous honours===
Sun Quan sent Guan Yu's head to Cao Cao, who arranged a noble's funeral for Guan Yu and had his head properly buried with full honours.<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|吳歷曰：權送羽首於曹公，以諸侯禮葬其屍骸。}}) ''Wu Li'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref> In October or November 260, [[Liu Shan]] granted Guan Yu the [[Posthumous name|posthumous title]] "Marquis Zhuangmou" ({{lang|zh|壯繆侯}}).<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|追謚羽曰壯繆侯。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi others">({{lang|zh|[景耀]三年秋九月，追謚故將軍關羽、張飛、馬超、龐統、黃忠。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 33. The month corresponds to 23 Oct to 20 Nov 260 in the Julian calendar.</ref> According to posthumous naming rules in the ''[[Yi Zhou Shu]]'', "mou" was meant for a person who failed to live up to his reputation.<ref>({{lang|zh|名與實爽曰繆。}}) ''Yizhoushu'' vol. 6. ch. 54.</ref>
==Anecdotes==
[[File:Baling Qiao 26 Guan Yu Studying Spring & Autumn Annals of Confucius.jpg|thumb|Baling Qiao, mural illustration of Guan Yu Studying [[Spring and Autumn Annals]] of [[Confucius]]]]
===Request to take Qin Yilu's wife===
{{see also|Qin Yilu}}
During the [[Battle of Xiapi]] in late 198, when the allied forces of [[Cao Cao]] and [[Liu Bei]] fought against [[Lü Bu]], Guan Yu sought permission from Cao Cao to marry [[Qin Yilu]]'s wife Lady Du ({{lang|zh|杜氏}}) after they won the battle. After Cao Cao agreed, Guan Yu still repeatedly reminded Cao Cao about his promise before the battle ended. After Lü Bu's defeat and death, Cao Cao was so curious about why Guan Yu wanted Lady Du so badly and he guessed that she must be very beautiful, so he had her brought to him. Cao Cao ultimately broke his promise as he took Lady Du as his concubine and adopted her son [[Qin Lang]] (whom she had with Qin Yilu).<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|蜀記曰：曹公與劉備圍呂布於下邳，關羽啟公，布使秦宜祿行求救，乞娶其妻，公許之。臨破，又屢啟於公。公疑其有異色，先遣迎看，因自留之，羽心不自安。此與魏氏春秋所說無異也。}}) ''Shu Ji'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref><ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|初，羽隨先主從公圍呂布於濮陽，時秦宜祿為布求救於張楊。羽啟公：「妻無子，下城，乞納宜祿妻。」公許之。及至城門，復白。公疑其有色，李本作他。自納之。}}) ''Huayang Guo Zhi'' vol. 6.</ref>
===Advice to Liu Bei===
The ''Shu Ji'' recorded an incident as follows: {{blockquote|When [[Liu Bei]] was in the imperial capital Xu, he once attended a hunting expedition together with [[Cao Cao]], during which Guan Yu urged him to kill Cao Cao but he refused. Later, when Liu Bei reached Xiakou (after his defeat at the [[Battle of Changban]]), Guan Yu complained, "If you heeded my advice during the hunting expedition in Xu, we wouldn't end up in this troubling situation." Liu Bei replied, "I didn't do so then for the sake of the Empire. If Heaven still helps those who are righteous, it might be possible that this may turn out to be a blessing in disguise!"<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|蜀記曰：初，劉備在許，與曹公共獵。獵中，衆散，羽勸備殺公，備不從。及在夏口，飄颻江渚，羽怒曰：「往日獵中，若從羽言，可無今日之困。」備曰：「是時亦為國家惜之耳；若天道輔正，安知此不為福邪！」}}) ''Shu Ji'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>}}
[[Pei Songzhi]] commented on the ''Shu Ji'' account as follows: {{blockquote|When Liu Bei, [[Dong Cheng (Han dynasty)|Dong Cheng]] and others plotted against Cao Cao, their plan failed because it was leaked out. If he did not want to kill Cao Cao for the sake of the Empire, what did he mean when he said this? If Guan Yu did urge Liu Bei to kill Cao Cao during the hunting expedition and Liu Bei did not do so, it was probably because Cao Cao's close aides and relatives were present at the scene and they outnumbered him. Besides, there was a lack of careful planning so Liu Bei had to wait for another opportunity. Even if Liu Bei succeeded in killing Cao Cao, he would not have been able to escape alive, so Liu Bei did not heed Guan Yu's words. There was nothing to regret. The hunting expedition event happened in the past, so it was used to justify that Guan Yu had given Liu Bei "valued advice", which the latter ignored.<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|臣松之以為備後與董承等結謀，但事泄不克諧耳，若為國家惜曹公，其如此言何！羽若果有此勸而備不肯從者，將以曹公腹心親戚，寔繁有徒，事不宿構，非造次所行；曹雖可殺，身必不免，故以計而止，何惜之有乎！旣往之事，故託為雅言耳。}}) Pei Songzhi's annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>}}
===Asking Zhuge Liang about Ma Chao===
In 214, [[Ma Chao]] defected from [[Zhang Lu (Han dynasty)|Zhang Lu]]'s side to Liu Bei's forces, and he assisted Liu Bei in pressuring Liu Zhang to surrender and yield Yi Province to Liu Bei. When Guan Yu received news that Ma Chao (whom he was unfamiliar with) had recently joined them, he wrote to [[Zhuge Liang]] in Yi Province and asked him who was comparable to Ma Chao. Zhuge Liang knew that Guan Yu was defending the border (so he should not displease Guan Yu). He replied: "Mengqi is proficient in both civil and military affairs. He is fierce and mighty, and a hero of his time. He is comparable to [[Ying Bu|Qing Bu]] and [[Peng Yue]]. He can compete with [[Zhang Fei|Yide]], but he is not as good as the peerless beard."{{efn|name=beard|The "peerless beard" referred to Guan Yu because Guan Yu had a beautiful beard.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|羽美鬚髯，故亮謂之髯。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>)}}<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|羽聞馬超來降，舊非故人，羽書與諸葛亮，問超人才可誰比類。亮知羽護前，乃荅之曰：「孟起兼資文武，雄烈過人，一世之傑，黥、彭之徒，當與益德並驅爭先，猶未及髯之絕倫逸羣也。」}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
Guan Yu was very pleased when he received Zhuge Liang's reply and he welcomed Ma Chao.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|羽省書大恱，以示賔客。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
===Arm injury===
Guan Yu was once injured in the left arm by a stray arrow which pierced through his arm. Although the wound healed, he still experienced pain in the bone whenever there was a heavy downpour. A physician told him, "The arrowhead had poison on it and the poison had seeped into the bone. The way to get rid of this problem is to cut open your arm and scrape away the poison in your bone." Guan Yu then stretched out his arm and asked the physician to heal him. He then invited his subordinates to dine with him while the surgery was being performed. Blood flowed from his arm into a container below. Throughout the operation, Guan Yu feasted, consumed alcohol and chatted with his men as though nothing had happened.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|羽甞為流矢所中，貫其左臂，後創雖愈，每至陰雨，骨常疼痛，醫曰：「矢鏃有毒，毒入于骨，當破臂作創，刮骨去毒，然後此患乃除耳。」羽便伸臂令醫劈之。時羽適請諸將飲食相對，臂血流離，盈於盤器，而羽割炙引酒，言笑自若。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
==Family==
Guan Yu had two known sons – [[Guan Ping]] and [[Guan Xing]]. Guan Xing inherited his father's title "Marquis of Hanshou Village" ({{lang|zh|漢壽亭侯}}) and served in the state of [[Shu Han|Shu]] during the [[Three Kingdoms]] period.<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|子興嗣。興字安國，少有令問，丞相諸葛亮深器異之。弱冠為侍中、中監軍，數歲卒。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref> Guan Yu also had a daughter. Sun Quan once proposed a marriage between his son and Guan Yu's daughter, but Guan Yu rejected the proposal. Her name was not recorded in history, but she was known as "[[Guan Yinping]]" ({{lang|zh|關銀屏}}) or "Guan Feng" ({{lang|zh|關鳳}}) in folktales and [[Chinese opera]], as well as in the ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'' video game series (as Guan Yinping). Guan Yu allegedly had a third son, [[Guan Suo]], who is not mentioned in historical texts and appears only in folklore, the ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' novel, and in ''Dynasty Warriors''.
Guan Xing's son, Guan Tong ({{lang|zh|關統}}), married a princess (one of [[Liu Shan]]'s daughters) and served as a General of the Household ({{lang|zh|中郎將}}) among the imperial guards. Guan Tong had no son when he died, so he was succeeded by his younger half-brother Guan Yi ({{lang|zh|關彝}}).<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|子統嗣，尚公主，官至虎賁中郎將。卒，無子，以興庶子彝續封。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
According to the ''Shu Ji'', after the [[Conquest of Shu by Wei|fall of Shu]] in 263, [[Pang Hui]] ([[Pang De]]'s son) massacred Guan Yu's family and descendants to avenge his father, who was executed by Guan Yu after the [[Battle of Fancheng]] in 219.<ref group="Sanguozhi zhu">({{lang|zh|蜀記曰：龐德子會，隨鍾、鄧伐蜀，蜀破，盡滅關氏家。}}) ''Shu Ji'' annotation in ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
In 1719, the [[Kangxi Emperor]] of the [[Qing dynasty]] awarded the hereditary title "[[Wujing Boshi]]" ({{lang|zh|五經博士}}; "Professor of the [[Four Books and Five Classics#Five Classics|Five Classics]]") to Guan Yu's descendants living in [[Luoyang]]. The bearer of the title is entitled to an honorary position in the [[Hanlin Academy]].{{sfnp|Brunnert|Hagelstrom|2013|p=494}}{{sfnp|Yan|2006|p=277}}
==Appraisal==
[[File:Three Heroes of the State of Shu - Guan Yu (Sono ni Kan U) (CBL J 2072).jpg|thumb|illustration of Guan Yu by [[Yashima Gakutei]] in the Chester Beatty Library]]
[[Chen Shou]], who wrote Guan Yu's biography in the ''Sanguozhi'', commented on the latter as such: "Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were praised as mighty warriors capable of fighting ten thousand of enemies (萬人敵). They were like tigers among ([[Liu Bei]]'s) subjects. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both had the style of a ''guoshi''.{{efn|''Guoshi'' ({{lang|zh|國士}}) could loosely translated as "gentleman of the state". It referred to persons who had made very outstanding contributions to their countries. See the [http://www.zdic.net/cd/ci/8/ZdicE5Zdic9BZdicBD35263.htm dictionary definition of {{lang|zh|國士}}].}} Guan Yu repaid Cao Cao's kindness while Zhang Fei released [[Yan Yan (Three Kingdoms)|Yan Yan]] out of righteousness. However, Guan Yu was unrelenting and conceited while Zhang Fei was brutal and heartless. These shortcomings resulted in their downfalls. This was not something uncommon."<ref group="Sanguozhi">({{lang|zh|評曰：關羽、張飛皆稱萬人之敵，為世虎臣。羽報效曹公，飛義釋嚴顏，並有國士之風。然羽剛而自矜，飛暴而無恩，以短取敗，理數之常也。}}) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 36.</ref>
==Worship==
[[File:Taiwan 2009 JinGuaShi Historic Gold Mine Valley View Left Page FRD 8822 Giant Statue of GuanYu.jpg|thumb|right|Multi-story-high statue of Guan Yu at [[Jinguashi]]]]
Guan Yu was deified as early as the [[Sui dynasty]] (581–618), and is still worshipped today as a [[bodhisattva]] in [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] tradition and as a guardian deity in Chinese folk religion and [[Taoism]].{{sfnp|You|2010}} He is also held in high esteem in [[Confucianism]] and in new religious movements such as [[Yiguandao]].
===In Chinese religion===
[[File:水陆画宝宁寺 往古为国亡躯一切将士众.jpg|thumb|Guan Yu (''lower left'') as a subject on [[Water-Land Ritual paintings]] of martyred generals]]
[[File:Edo-Tokyo Museum - Kanda Myojin procession - full-size model of float 02 (15151921753).jpg|thumb|upright|Cart for Shinto procession with Guan Yu statue from the [[Kanda Shrine]], now preserved at the [[Edo-Tokyo Museum]].]]
In [[Chinese folk religion]], Guan Yu is widely referred to as "Emperor Guan" ({{zh|t={{linktext|關|帝}}|p=Guāndì|labels=no}}; ''dì'' implies deified status) and "Lord Guan" ({{zh|t={{linktext|關|公}}|p=Guān Gōng|labels=no}}), while his Taoist title is "Holy Emperor Lord Guan" ({{zh|t=關聖帝君|p=Guān Shèng Dì Jūn|labels=no}}). [[Martial temple]]s and shrines dedicated exclusively to Guan Yu can be found across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and other places with Chinese influence such as Vietnam, South Korea and Japan. Some of these temples, such as the Guandi Temple in Xiezhou ({{lang|zh|解州}}), [[Shanxi]], were built exactly in the layout of an imperial residence, befitting his status as a "ruler". Other examples of Guan Yu temples in China include the [[Guandi Temple]] of [[Jinan]] and the Guanlin Temple of [[Luoyang]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-22 |title=Guanlin Temple China {{!}} The Temple Trail |url=https://thetempletrail.com/guanlin/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |archive-date=2020-09-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922140220/https://thetempletrail.com/guanlin/ |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
==== Historical veneration ====
The apotheosis of Guan Yu occurred in stages, as he was given ever higher [[Posthumous name|posthumous titles]]. [[Liu Shan]], the second emperor of [[Shu Han|Shu]], gave Guan Yu the posthumous title of "Marquis Zhuangmou" ({{lang|zh|壯繆侯}}) four decades after his death. During the [[Song dynasty]], [[Emperor Huizong of Song|Emperor Huizong]] bestowed upon Guan Yu the title "Duke Zhonghui" ({{lang|zh|忠惠公}}), and later the title of a prince. In 1187, [[Emperor Xiaozong of Song|Emperor Xiaozong]] honoured Guan Yu as "Prince Zhuangmou Yiyong Wu'an Yingji" ({{lang|zh|壯繆義勇武安英濟王}}). During the [[Yuan dynasty]], [[Jayaatu Khan, Emperor Wenzong of Yuan|Emperor Wenzong]] changed Guan Yu's title to "Prince of Xianling Yiyong Wu'an Yingji" ({{lang|zh|顯靈義勇武安英濟王}}).
In 1614, the [[Wanli Emperor]] bestowed on Guan Yu the title "Holy Emperor Guan, the Great God Who Subdues Demons in the Three Worlds and Whose Awe Spreads Far and Moves Heaven" ({{lang|zh|三界伏魔大神威遠震天尊關聖帝君}}). During the [[Qing dynasty]], the [[Shunzhi Emperor]] gave Guan Yu the title of "Guan, the Loyal and Righteous God of War, the Holy Great Emperor" ({{lang|zh|忠義神武關聖大帝}}) in 1644. This title was expanded to "Guan the Holy Great Emperor; God of War Manifesting Benevolence, Bravery and Prestige; Protector of the Country and Defender of the People; Proud and Honest Supporter of Peace and Reconciliation; Promoter of Morality, Loyalty and Righteousness" ({{lang|zh|仁勇威顯護國保民精誠綏靖翊贊宣德忠義神武關聖大帝}}), a total of 24 [[Chinese character]]s, by the mid-19th century. It is often shortened to "Saint of War" ({{zh|t=武聖|p=Wǔ Shèng|labels=no}}), which is of the same rank as [[Confucius]], who is honoured the "Saint of Culture" ({{zh|t=文聖|p=Wén Shèng|labels=no}}). The Qing dynasty promoted the worship of Guan Yu among the Mongol tribes, making him one of their most revered religious figures, second only to their [[lama]]s.{{sfnp|Roberts|1991|p=970}}
[[File:Altar at the Temple of Guandi (a Chinese temple) in Osaka.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Altar of Guan Yu in [[Osaka]].]]
Throughout history, Guan Yu has also been credited with many military successes. In the 14th century, his spirit was said to have aided [[Hongwu Emperor|Zhu Yuanzhang]], the founder of the [[Ming dynasty]], at the [[Battle of Lake Poyang]]. In 1402, when [[Yongle Emperor|Zhu Di]] launched a coup d'état and successfully deposed his nephew, the [[Jianwen Emperor]], Zhu Di claimed that he was blessed by the spirit of Guan Yu. During the last decade of the 16th century, Guan Yu was also credited with the repulse of [[Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598)|Japanese invasion of Korea]] by [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]]. The [[Manchu people|Manchu]] [[Aisin Gioro|imperial clan]] of the [[Qing dynasty]] was also associated with Guan Yu's martial qualities. During the 20th century, Guan Yu was worshipped by the warlord [[Yuan Shikai]], president and later a short-lived emperor of China.
Guan Yu's messages were received by mediums through [[spirit writing]], later called [[Fuji (planchette writing)]] ({{lang|zh|扶乩/扶箕}}), since the late 17th century. "By the mid-Qianlong period (1736–96) the number of 'sacred edicts' issued by Guandi ordering people to do good and help those in need became increasingly frequent." In the 19th century, Guandi's messages received through spirit writing assumed a millennialist character. Dates were announced for the end of the world, followed by messages indicating that Guandi had "prevented the apocalypse" and was indeed "the savior of endtimes." In 1866, the Ten Completions Society (Shiquanhui 十全會) was established to propagate the messages of Guandi and promote the charitable work his spirit had ordered to perform. The tradition of Guandi spirit writing continued in Chinese folk Religion well into the 20th century.<ref>Wang Chien-ch’uan, “Spirit Writing Groups in Modern China (1840–1937): Textual Production, Public Teachings, and Charity.” In ''Modern Chinese Religion II 1850–2015'', edited by Vincent Goossaert, Jan Kiely and John Lagerwey, Leiden: Brill, vol. 2, 651–684 (652–668).</ref>
==== Contemporary veneration ====
[[File:Altar to Guandi in a restaurant of Beijing.png|thumb|Altar of Guan Yu at a restaurant in [[Beijing]].]]
Today, Guan Yu is still widely worshipped by the Chinese; he may be worshipped in [[Martial temple]]s and [[Wen Wu temple]]s, and small shrines devoted to him are also found in homes, businesses and fraternal organisations. In Hong Kong, a shrine to Guan Yu can be found in every police station. Though by no means mandatory, Chinese police officers worship and pay respect to him. Although seemingly ironic, members of the [[Triad (organized crime)|triads]] and [[Tiandihui|Heaven and Earth Society]] worship Guan Yu as well. Statues used by triads tend to hold the halberd in the left hand, and statues in police stations tend to hold the halberd in the right hand. This signifies which side Guan Yu is worshipped, by the righteous people or vice versa. The appearance of Guan Yu's face for the triads is usually more stern and threatening than the usual statue. In Hong Kong, Guan Yu is often referred to as "Yi Gor" ({{lang|zh|二哥}}; Cantonese for "second elder brother") for he was second to [[Liu Bei]] in their fictional sworn brotherhood. Guan Yu is also worshipped by Chinese businessmen in Shanxi, Hong Kong, Macau and Southeast Asia as an alternative wealth god, since he is perceived to bless the upright and protect them from the wicked. Another reason is related to the release of Cao Cao during the Huarong Trail incident, in which he let Cao and his men pass through safely. For that, he was perceived to be able to extend the lifespan of people in need. Among [[Chinese Filipino]]s in the [[Philippines]], Guan Yu is also sometimes known as ''"[[James, brother of Jesus|Santo Santiago]]"'' ([[James, brother of Jesus|St. James]]) or in Hokkien as "''Te Ya Kong"'' ([[Hokkien in the Philippines|Hokkien]] {{zh|t=|poj=Tè-iâ-kong|l=|c=帝爺公|s=|p=}}) or "''Kuan Kong"'' ([[Hokkien in the Philippines|Hokkien]] {{zh|t=|poj=Koan-kong|l=|c=關公|s=|p=}}).<ref>{{cite book |last=Chu |first=Richard T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PRewCQAAQBAJ&q=Santiago+Guan+yu |title=Chinese and Chinese Mestizos of Manila: Family, Identity, and Culture, 1860s–1930s |year=2012 |page=191|publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-9047426851 }}</ref>
Among the [[Cantonese people]] who emigrated to California during the mid-19th century, the worship of Guan Yu was an important element. Statues and tapestry images of the god can be found in a number of historical California joss houses (a local term for [[Chinese folk religion]] temples), where his name may be given with various Anglicised spellings, including: ''Kwan Dai'', ''Kwan Tai'' or ''Kuan Ti'' for ''Guandi'' (Emperor Guan); ''Kuan Kung'' for ''Guan Gong'' (Lord Guan), ''Wu Ti'' or ''Mo Dai'' for ''Wu Di'' (War Deity), ''Kuan Yu'', ''Kwan Yu'', or ''Quan Yu'' for Guan Yu. The [[Mendocino Joss House]], a historical landmark also known as Mo Dai Miu (''Wudimiao'', i.e. the Temple of the Deity of War), or Temple of Kwan Tai, built in 1852, is a typical example of the small shrines erected to Guan Yu in the United States.
Guan Yu is also worshipped as a [[door god]] in [[Chinese temple|Chinese]] and [[Taoist temple]]s, with portraits of him being pasted on doors to ward off evil spirits, usually in pairings with [[Zhang Fei]], [[Guan Ping]], [[Guan Sheng]] or [[Zhou Cang]].
Apart from general worship, Guan Yu is also commemorated in China with colossal statues such as the 1,320-tonne sculpture in [[Jingzhou|Jingzhou City]], [[Hubei|Hubei Province]], standing at 58 metres.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/guan-yu-1320-ton-war-god-sculpture-jingzhou-china|title=Monumental 1,320-Ton Sculpture of Chinese War God Watches Over the City|date=2016-07-19|access-date=2016-07-20}}</ref>
===In Taoism===
{{Taoism}}
Guan Yu is revered as "Holy Ruler Deity Guan" ({{zh|t=關聖帝君|p=Guān Shèng Dì Jūn|labels=no}}) and a leading subduer of demons in Taoism. Taoist worship of Guan Yu began during the [[Song dynasty]]. Legend has it that during the second decade of the 12th century, the saltwater lake in Xiezhou gradually ceased to yield salt. [[Emperor Huizong of Song|Emperor Huizong]] then summoned Zhang Jixian ({{lang|zh|張繼先}}), a 30th-generation descendant of [[Zhang Daoling]], to investigate the cause. The emperor was told that the disruption was the work of [[Chi You]], a deity of war. Zhang Jixian then recruited the help of Guan Yu, who battled Chi You over the lake and triumphed, whereupon the lake resumed salt production. Emperor Huizong then bestowed upon Guan Yu the title "Immortal of Chongning" ({{zh|t=崇寧真君|p=Chóngníng Zhēnjūn|labels=no}}), formally introducing the latter as a deity into Taoism.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
In the early [[Ming dynasty]], the 42nd Celestial Master, Zhang Zhengchang ({{lang|zh|張正常}}), recorded the incident in his book ''Lineage of the Han Celestial Masters'' ({{lang|zh|漢天師世家}}), the first Taoist classic to affirm the legend. Today, Taoist practices are predominant in Guan Yu worship. Many temples dedicated to Guan Yu, including the Emperor Guan Temple in Xiezhou County, show heavy Taoist influence. Every year, on the 24th day of the sixth month on the [[Chinese calendar|lunar calendar]] (Guan Yu's birthday in legend), a street parade in Guan Yu's honour would also be held.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
===In Buddhism===
[[File:RARE THANGKA IMPÉRIAL DE GUAN YU, CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, ÉPOQUE QIANLONG (1736-1795), Sotheby's.jpg|thumb|upright|Imperial [[thangka]] of the [[Qianlong Emperor|Qianlong period]] (1736–95) depicting Guan Yu as Sangharama Bodhisattva.]]
In [[Chinese Buddhism]], Guan Yu is revered by most Chinese Mahayana Buddhists as Sangharama [[Bodhisattva]] ({{zh|s=伽蓝菩萨|t=伽藍菩薩|p=Qiélán Púsà|labels=no}}) a heavenly protector of the Buddhist [[dharma]]. ''[[Sangharama]]'' in [[Sanskrit]] means 'community garden' (''sangha'', community + ''arama'', garden) and thus 'monastery'. The term ''Sangharama'' also refer to the [[dharmapala]] class of devas and spirits assigned to guard the Buddhist monastery, the dharma, and the faith itself. Over time and as an act of syncreticism, Guan Yu was seen as the representative guardian of the temple and the garden in which it stands. His statue traditionally is situated in the far left of the main altar, opposite his counterpart [[Skanda (Buddhism)|Skanda]].{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
According to Buddhist legends, in 592, Guan Yu manifested himself one night before the [[Chan Buddhism|Chan]] master [[Zhiyi]], the founder of the [[Tiantai]] school of Buddhism, along with a retinue of spiritual beings. Zhiyi was then in deep meditation on [[Jade Spring Hill]] ({{lang|zh|玉泉山}}) when he was distracted by Guan Yu's presence. Guan Yu then requested the master to teach him about the dharma. After receiving Buddhist teachings from the master, Guan Yu took refuge in the triple gems and also requested the [[Five Precepts]]. Henceforth, it is said that Guan Yu made a vow to become a guardian of temples and the dharma. Legends also claim that Guan Yu assisted Zhiyi in the construction of the [[Yuquan Temple (Dangyang)|Yuquan Temple]], which still stands today.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}
===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)
* [[Sam Kai Vui Kun|Kuan Tai Temple (Sam Kai Vui Kun)]] in Macau (built in 1750)
* [[Gong Wu Shrine]], in Bangkok, Thailand
* [http://www.kwansingbiotuban.com/en/about/kwan-sing-bio/  Kwan Sing Bio Temple (Klenteng Kwan Sing Bio)  in Tuban, Indonesia (built in 1773)]
* [[Hội quán Nghĩa An]] in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (built in 1819)
* [[Chùa Ông Quan Đế Miếu]] in Bac Lieu, Vietnam (built in 1835)
* [[Temple of Kwan Tai]] in California, United States (built in 1854)
* [[Kuala Lumpur Guandi Temple|Guandi Temple]] in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (built in 1887)
* [[Sam Sing Kung Temple]] in Sabah, Malaysia (built in 1887)
* [[Sze Yup Temple|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''==
{{multiple image
| align     = right
| image1    = Guan Yu Portrait.jpg
| width1    = 150
| caption1  = Portrait of Guan Yu (behind) from a [[Qing dynasty]] edition of ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''.
| image2    = Guanyu.jpg
| width2    = 150
| caption2  = A 19th-century Japanese [[woodcut]] of Guan Yu by [[Utagawa Kuniyoshi]]. In this scene, he is being attended to by the physician [[Hua Tuo]] while playing [[Go (game)|weiqi]]. See [http://www.pandanet.co.jp/English/art/boneshaving2.html here] for a large version of the full picture.
}}
The 14th-century historical novel ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' glorifies Guan Yu by portraying him as a righteous and loyal warrior. Guan Yu is one of the most altered and aggrandised characters in the novel,{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} which accounts for his popular image in Chinese society.
See the following for some fictitious stories in ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' involving Guan Yu:
* [[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==
{{In popular culture|date=August 2022}}
===Chinese opera===
[[File:Mask of Guan Yu.jpg|thumb|upright|A Qing dynasty opera mask of Guan Yu.]]
Guan Yu appears in [[Chinese opera]]s such as ''Huarong Trail'', ''Red Cliffs'', and other excerpts from ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''. His costume is a green military opera uniform with armour covering his right arm and the knees of his pants. The actor's face is painted red with a few black lines, to represent honour and courage. He also wears a long three-section black beard made of yak hair and carries the [[Green Dragon Crescent Blade]]. Traditionally, after the show ends, the actor has to wash his face, burn joss paper, light incense, and pray to Chinese deities.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
===Film and television===
Notable actors who have portrayed Guan Yu in film and television include:{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}<!--Reliable sources are needed to demonstrate that these portrayals are "notable".--> [[Lu Shuming]] in ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (TV series)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' (1994); Wang Yingquan in ''[[The Legend of Guan Gong]]'' (2004); [[Ti Lung]] in ''[[Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon]]'' (2008); [[Batdorj-in Baasanjab|Ba Sen]] in ''[[Red Cliff (film)|Red Cliff]]'' (2008–2009); [[Yu Rongguang]] in ''[[Three Kingdoms (TV series)|Three Kingdoms]]'' (2010); [[Donnie Yen]] in ''[[The Lost Bladesman]]'' (2011); [[Au Sui-Wai]] in ''[[Three Kingdoms RPG]]'' (2012); [[Han Geng]] in ''[[Dynasty Warriors (film)|Dynasty Warriors]]'' (2019).
Films which make references to Guan Yu include: [[Stephen Chow]]'s comedy film ''[[From Beijing with Love]]'' (1994), which, in one scene, refers to the story of [[Hua Tuo]] performing surgery on Guan Yu's arm;{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} [[Zhang Yimou]]'s ''[[Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles]]'' (2005), in which the fictional story of Guan Yu slaying six generals and crossing five passes forms a major part of the narrative;{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} the horror comedy film ''[[My Name Is Bruce]]'' (2007), where Guan Yu's [[vengeful spirit]] is accidentally set free by a group of teenagers and he begins to terrorise their town.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
===Games===
<!-- PLEASE DO NOT INTRODUCE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS PERSON'S ROLE IN THE GAMES ALREADY MENTIONED IN THIS SECTION. -->
Guan Yu appears as a playable character in many video games based on ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' which are produced by [[Koei]], including: the [[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)|strategy game series of the same title as the novel]]; the action game series ''[[Dynasty Warriors]]'' and ''[[Warriors Orochi]]''. Other non-Koei titles in which he also appears include: ''[[Total War: Three Kingdoms]]'';<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.totalwar.com/games/three-kingdoms/|title=Three Kingdoms|first=Celia|last=Borrull|website=Total War}}</ref> '' ''[[Puzzle & Dragons]]'';<ref>[http://www.puzzledragonx.com/en/monster.asp?n=1242 Monster] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531105620/http://www.puzzledragonx.com/en/monster.asp?n=1242 |date=2014-05-31 }}</ref> ''[[Sango Fighter]]''; ''[[Destiny of an Emperor]]''; and ''[[Atlantica Online]]''. He is also referenced in ''[[Emperor: Rise of the Middle Kingdom]]'', ''[[Titan Quest]]'', and ''[[Koihime Musō]]''.
Guan Yu is referenced in the ''[[Portal Three Kingdoms]]'' of the card game ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' on a playable card.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
The hero Jiang Jun that appears in an add-on for the game ''[[For Honor]]'', developed by [[Ubisoft Montreal]], is heavily based on Guan Yu.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} He is introduced in the 2018 DLC ''Marching Fire Expansion'', along with the other characters from the Chinese Wulin faction. The Jiang Jun wields Guan Yu's signature [[Guandao]] weapon and is portrayed as a wise older general.
Guan Yu is referenced in the 2020 game ''[[Hades (video game)|Hades]]'' by [[Supergiant Games]]. The final "aspect", or form, unlocked for the Eternal Spear weapon is the Aspect of Guan Yu, the [[Green Dragon Crescent Blade|Frost Fair Blade]], which resembles an ornamented [[Guandao]]. The Eternal Spear is said to be the same spear wielded by Guan Yu in the future, taking this form.<ref>[https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/661011958396485632/1054551669666500618/image.png Achilles. Image] discordapp.com</ref>
===Coinage===
Guan Yu is a popular motif in collector coins series featuring Ancient warriors. The [[Polish Mint]] issued a 2oz silver coin featuring him in 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onlinecoin.club/Coins/Country/Niue/Silver_Two_Ounces_2019_Guan_Yu/|title=Guan Yu silver 2 ounces coin 2019}}</ref> and another one in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://onlinecoin.club/Coins/Country/Niue/Silver_Two_Ounces_2021_Guan_Yu/|title=Guan Yu silver 2 ounces coin 2021}}</ref>
== In modern politics ==
During the course of price liberalization debates as part of China's [[Chinese economic reform|reform and opening up]], [[Deng Xiaoping]] invoked the fictitious story of Guan Yu crossing five passes and slaying six generals (as described in the novel ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'') as part of his rhetoric.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Weber |first=Isabella |author-link=Isabella Weber |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1228187814 |title=How China escaped shock therapy : the market reform debate |date=2021 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0429490125 |location=Abingdon, Oxon |pages=249–250 |oclc=1228187814}}</ref> "To the Chinese audience familiar with the famous tale of Lord Guan, there could have been no doubt of Deng's determination to push ahead with radical price reforms."<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Weber |first=Isabella |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1228187814 |title=How China escaped shock therapy : the market reform debate |date=2021 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-0429490125 |location=Abingdon, Oxon |page=250 |oclc=1228187814}}</ref> As Deng explained in 1986 to a North Korean delegation:<ref name=":0" />
{{Blockquote|text=Only once prices have been straightened out will be able to step up reform ... Doesn't China have the tale of Lord Guan 'Slaying Six Generals to Force Through Five Passes?' We might have to pass through even more 'passes' than Lord Guan, slaying even more 'generals.' To force a pass is not at all easy and requires taking great risks.}}
==See also==
* ''[[Enzhugong]]'' ({{lang|zh|恩主公}})
* [[Martial temple]] & [[Wen Wu temple]]
* [[Kwan Tai temples in Hong Kong]]
* [[Hip Tin temples in Hong Kong]]
* ''[[Holy Emperor Guan's True Scripture to Awaken the World]]''
* [[Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms]]
* [[Statue of Guan Yu (Jingzhou)]]
* ''[[Water Margin]]'', with characters [[Zhu Tong]], nicknamed "Lord of the Beautiful Beard," and [[Guan Sheng]], supposedly Guan Yu's descendant.
==Notes==
{{notelist|30em}}
==References==
=== Citations from volume 36 of the ''Sanguozhi'' ===
{{reflist|30em|group="Sanguozhi"}}
=== Citations from elsewhere in the ''Sanguozhi'' ===
{{reflist|group="Sanguozhi others"}}
=== Citations from the ''Sanguozhi zhu'' ===
{{reflist|group="Sanguozhi zhu"}}
=== Other citations ===
{{reflist|30em}}
===Bibliography===
{{more footnotes needed|date=August 2022}}
* (Author unknown) (4th century BC). ''[[Yi Zhou Shu]]''.
* {{cite book|last1=Brunnert|first1=H.S.|last2=Hagelstrom|first2=V.V.|title=Present Day Political Organization of China|date=2013|edition=reprint|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1135797959}}
* [[Chen Shou|Chen, Shou]] (3rd century). ''[[Records of the Three Kingdoms]]'' (''Sanguozhi'').
* [[Chang Qu]] (4th century). ''[[Chronicles of Huayang]]'' (''Huayang Guo Zhi'').
* {{citation|last=de Crespigny|first=Rafe|author-link=Rafe de Crespigny|title=A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms 23–220 AD|date=2007|publisher=Brill|location=Leiden|isbn=978-9004156050}}
* {{cite book |last=Dubs |first=Homer H. |date=1938 |title=The History of the Former Han Dynasty by Pan Ku |series=Volume 1 |chapter=Chapter IV, Appendix I, Standard Weights and Measures of Han Times |location=[[Baltimore]] |publisher=Waverly Press
}}
* {{cite book |last=Dubs |first=Homer H. |date=1938b |title=The History of the Former Han Dynasty by Pan Ku |series=Volume 3 |location=[[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca NY]] |publisher=Spoken Languages Services
}}
* {{cite book|last=Hulsewé|first=A.F.P.|chapter=Han measures|title=T'oung pao Archives|volume=XLIX, Livre 3|date=1961}}
* [[Luo Guanzhong|Luo, Guanzhong]] (14th century). ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' (''Sanguo Yanyi'').
* [[Pei Songzhi|Pei, Songzhi]] (5th century). ''[[Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms]]'' (''Sanguozhi zhu'').
* {{cite book|last=Perkins|first=Dorothy|title=Encyclopedia of China: The Essential Reference to China, Its History and Culture|date=1999|publisher=Checkmark Books|location=New York|isbn=978-0816026937|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofch00perk_0}}
* {{cite book|last=Roberts|first=Moss|title=Three Kingdoms: A Historical Novel|date=1991|publisher=University of California Press|location=Oakland, California|isbn=978-0520225039}}
* [[Sima Guang|Sima, Guang]] (1084). ''[[Zizhi Tongjian]]''.
* {{cite book|last=ter Haar|first=Barend J.|title=Guan Yu: the religious afterlife of a failed hero|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|date=2017|isbn=978-0198803645}}
* {{cite book|last=Yan|first=Qingxiang|script-title=zh:從關羽到關帝 |trans-title=From Guan Yu to Guan Di|date=2006|language=zh|publisher=Yuanliu Publishing|isbn=9573257637}}
* {{cite web|last=You|first=Zi'an|script-title=zh:敷化宇內：清代以來關帝善書及其信仰的傳播|url=http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/ics/journal/articles/v50p219.pdf|work=Journal of Chinese Studies No. 50|date=2010|publisher=The Chinese University of Hong Kong|access-date=13 June 2013|location=Hong Kong|language=zh}}
==External links==
*{{Commons-inline|關羽|Guan Yu}}
*{{Wikisource-inline|Translation:Records of the Three Kingdoms/Volume 36/Guan Yu|Biography of Guan Yu|single=true}}
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