Guan Yu

[-disciple-]

I love the dynasty warriors series, and have tried doing some research on Guan Yu. He is my favorite character, and i was wondering if he left any sort of martial arts legacy behind him. I love the kwan dao, it is one of my favorite weapons. Did he leave behind a form for that weapon, or if anyone knows the form he used? what are some forms for the kwan dao, and what disciplines teach them? Any historical background on him and his martial training would be helpful

[Shaolinlueb]

i met this kid from philly 1 year at wong 2004. he said his kwan doa form was from guan yu. i dont remember what style he was. i might even have it on tape somewhere.

as for leaving a form behind or anything, i dont think he did. every martial art style attributes their guan dao form to him. he is the father of it (essentially making it famous) and martial arts some say, even the god of war. he has many names him and his 2 brothers liu bei and zhang fei. they are very famous in china. as for leaving a direct martial arts behind that he studied, i never found any reference to it other then he trianed martial arts.

its like the double short axes, they are associated with Li Kui "The Black Whirlwind" from the water margin (108 outlaws of the marsh). he might not have left a form behind, the guy was a murdered and later tamed by the group. but we all know him for his great skill with those weapons.

[doug maverick]

i thought considering his whole family was killed. and even his adopted students as well. most people will associate there form with kwan yu to give it notoriety. but in reality it doesn;t come from him. also all of kwna yu forms were made for horse back not on foot. so even if it was a form that existed you would probably need a horse to do them.

[golden arhat]

hung gar has some guan gung inspired moves (same guy but he's just generally called guan gung more than guan yu so it might be more helpful if in your search u asked for guan gung)

but yeah the guan dao is actually called aq guan dao because it was the knife (dao) of general guan so pretty much all guan dao forms have a link to him


especcially in hung gar where such moves as stroking your long beard (as he would have done) are included


hope that helps

[ghostexorcist]

I don't know how accurate it is or not, but wikipedia's article on the Kwan Dao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwan_Dao) says the following:


However, historically speaking it is likely that Guan Yu most likely would not have used a dagger-axe (ji) . While the famous novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong describes him as wielding the guan dao, this description might be an anachronistic one, as there is no illustration to show that it was ever used prior to the 7th cent. Tang dynasty or the Song dynasty when it was first illustrated in the military manual Wujing Zongyao. The guan dao, therefore, was likely neither invented nor ever used by Guan Yu, meaning that it is somewhat of a pop culture-derived misnomer. However, some historians believe that the guan dao was simply an uncommon, rare weapon prior to the Song dynasty and was thus not illustrated before then.

IF that is true, than he didn't leave any martial lineage involving the weapon at all.


but yeah the guan dao is actually called aq guan dao because it was the knife (dao) of general guan so pretty much all guan dao forms have a link to him.

It's actually called a Yan Yue Dao (偃月刀), which can be translated as "reclining moon knife". (I make no claim of being a linguist.)

[Shaolinlueb]

I don't know how accurate it is or not, but wikipedia's article on the Kwan Dao (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwan_Dao) says the following:



IF that is true, than he didn't leave any martial lineage involving the weapon at all.



It's actually called a Yan Yue Dao (偃月刀), which can be translated as "reclining moon knife". (I make no claim of being a linguist.)

exaclty, but we still associate it with him.

in reality, he would have used a halberb, spear, bow, or sword of some sort.

zhang fei was famous for his spear work. they say snake head spear but who know's if that is true. this is the problem with history during that time. they never wrote down anything. if they did the next dynasty probably got rid of it all.

[-disciple-]

thanks for the info guys. As for Guan Yu, does anyone know of his date of birth and death? And other than Hung Gar, what other styles use the kwan dao?
dumb question<< are there any shaolin forms that use it? ( purely because my imagination always brings to mind a shaolin monk when thinking of a martial artist)

and as for the no historic illustrations of the kwan dao, are there no paintings or statues of Guan Yu wielding a kwan dao from that time?

[SanHeChuan]

And other than Hung Gar, what other styles use the kwan dao?

Just about every one does. Even Chen Tai chi has a Kwan dao form. Wing Chun does not, but thats the only one I can think of off the top of my head.


are there any shaolin forms that use it? Yes

[Shaolinlueb]

the only illustrations of guan yu are from later dynasties. they all show him as a massive 9 foot tall man with the huge 80 cattie gwan dao. who knows if he even had a beard?

his estimated birth and death are 160–219 a.d.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Dragon_Crescent_Blade
there is a link about his blade.

[GeneChing]

See my article The General's Blade: Kungfu's Mightiest Weapon, The Kwan Dao in our 2001 March/April issue (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=259).

[David Jamieson]

I bought one of those babies off you guys.

The one I learned with was much lighter.

But wielding my Kwan do now takes a lot of strength, balance and poise + you have to look pretty doing it or it's no good. Just blows the whole thing. Luckily, I am still pretty. :p

[GeneChing]

The Guan Yu Gundam: a story of passion and friendship (http://en.rocketnews24.com/2015/01/26/the-guan-yu-gundam-a-story-of-passion-and-friendship/)
Hayashi 'Fang' Hougi 5 hours ago

https://sociorocketnewsen.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/179.jpg?w=580&h=383

Those who are familiar with Chinese history should be familiar with Romance of the Three Kingdoms, an epic that is now considered one of the greatest literary classics in China. Detailing legendary tales from the warring era of the Three Kingdoms, the book itself is full of stories of love, friendship and loyalty.

Fast forward to modern times, where we find three ardent robot fans in China with the spirit of the Three Kingdoms coursing through their veins who came together to create an amazing gigantic Gundam-like statue based on one of the best known characters in the epic – Guan Yu.

Known as a loyal and ferocious warrior, Guan Yu formed a brotherhood with Liu Bei and Zhang Fei early in his career, and it is this deep bond and friendship among them that we remember best today. In fact, Guan Yu is such a symbol of loyalty and bravery that today there are many temples around Chinese-speaking regions that worship him.

Enter ZhouZe Fu, a novice welder and artist, ShenXin Xing, an expert welder, and Wong Rong, a robot maker. The three men came to know one another when Zhou learned that Wong had built and donated several robots. Zhou, a fan of gigantic robot statues himself, had always wanted to join forces with other robot builders, but Wong was the first he had met who was willing to donate his works for free. Just like how LiuBei had approached Guan Yu and Zhang Fei in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhou gathered Wong and Shen, and his dream is finally becoming a reality.

https://sociorocketnewsen.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/330.jpg?w=580&h=943

Zhou drew up the designs and drafted the model, Shen welded the parts together, and Wong was out in charge of planning the parts and making sure everything went smoothly. Zhou said, “We are just like the three brothers working towards the same dream.” Because of that, they decided to bring Guan Yu, the Chinese symbol of loyalty and friendship, to life in this robot. On top of that, they also kept the statue ‘green’ by using 100-percent recycled parts. Wong donated old car parts from his shop, while the three would journey to recycling shops in nearby villages on their numerous “treasure hunts” to find other pieces they could use.

The three plan to finish the statue by Chinese New Year, and the completed Guan Yu is estimated to be at least 10 metres (32 ft) tall and weigh at least 10 tonnes. Wong added that just the sword that Guan Yu wields would weigh at least 250 kg (approx. 550 lbs). We’ll certainly be watching out for the completion of this majestic robot!

Source/Images: Zhejiang News, U148 h/t Aol News


We want to see that 550 lb Kwan Dao (http://www.martialartsmart.com/45-88ss.html)!

[GeneChing]

So awesome. Makes me want to go back to Henan, just to make offerings here.


China will put up a 1,200 ton statue of ancient warrior (http://mashable.com/2016/02/26/guan-yu-statue/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29#2BhHf 2p_tuqF)

http://rack.2.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE2LzAyLzI2L2RjL2d1YW55dXN0YXR1LjEwYjM0LmpwZw pwCXRodW1iCTk1MHg1MzQjCmUJanBn/f68e7f26/551/guan-yu-statue.jpg
The scaffolding around China's largest statue of Guan Yu is being removed to unveil the towering figure.IMAGE: PEOPLE'S DAILY/FACEBOOK

BY ALICIA TAN SINGAPORE 11 HOURS AGO

The residents of Jinzhou in Henan, China will soon be watched over by the country's largest statue of the beloved Chinese warrior, Guan Yu.

The statue weighs 1,200 tonnes and stands 58m tall, and is said to be the heaviest statue in the world of the fabled general, reported People's Daily.

In 2009, a similar statue was erected in Guan's hometown in the Shanxi province. That one measures 61m tall, including a 19m tall pedestal and is smaller than Jinzhou's.

http://rack.0.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDE2LzAyLzI2LzU0L2d1YW55dTIuM2E0ZjQuanBnCnAJdG h1bWIJMTIwMHg5NjAwPg/e4cc02a7/8c9/guan-yu-2.jpg
The Shanxi province statue of Guan Yu.
IMAGE: WEI XINGZHI/IMAGINECHINA/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Most of the lore surrounding Guan talks of his bravery and skills on the battlefield during the country's Three Kingdoms period (200 - 280 A.D).


https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/v/t1.0-0/p526x296/165911_1099690126749470_805839380786500595_n.jpg?o h=c5548915f2ac6b68bef2ea8d060ad41f&oe=574FEC7B

People's Daily, China
on Thursday



The war general has also been popularised in the classic Chinese novel, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The Chinese continue to worship him like a deity, as many believe that he became a god in his afterlife and will provide blessings of good fortune.

Shrines of Guan are a common sight in traditional Chinese shops and restaurants across China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

[GeneChing]

China photo of the day: Three Kingdoms (http://gbtimes.com/china/china-photo-day-three-kingdoms)
GBTIMES
2016/06/17

http://cdn2.gbtimes.com/cdn/farfuture/VdhwfyXfhJ23KfZRt9shnwzLwvCd0bhF7-ODJxqreCM/mtime:1466378562/sites/default/files/styles/768_wide/public/2016/06/17/three_kingdoms.jpg?itok=cxUFe07V
The scene is set for the the grand opening of the new bronze Guan Gong statue in China's Hubei Province. (Photo: China News Service)

The sun shines and the scene is set ahead of the grand opening of the bronze Guan Gong statue in Jingzhou city, Hubei Province on the morning of June 17.

The statue, the world's largest bronze depiction of the ancient Chinese figure, stands at 58 metres tall and weighs more than 1,200 tonnes.

Also known as Guan Yu, Guan Gong was a general who served in the late Eastern Han dynasty and remains a deified figure from Chinese history.

The statue, which also features a 70-metre-long and 136 tonne guandao (long blade), was created by Han Meilin, who also designed the mascots for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Shoot. This was posted on our WEB FU section in our JUL+AUG 2016 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=1296) issue but the link was incorrect. :(

[GeneChing]

Gigantic statue of ancient warrior god Guan Yu completed in Hubei (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2016/07/14/gigantic-statue-ancient-warrior-god-guan-yu/)
Created by James Martin
July 14, 2016 at 8:00 am

A leviathan statue of the ancient Chinese warrior god Guan Yu has been completed in Jingzhou city in Hubei province.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/13613520_1271332262907591_743954665059636416_o-e1468458162712.jpg
The statue weighs five times more than the Statue of Liberty in the US. Image by CCTV

The statue features over 4,000 strips of bronze and stands at 58 meters tall. The gargantuan god weighs in at a stunning 1,320 tonnes and can be seen holding a huge weapon known as the Green Dragon Crescent Blade that weighs a further 136 tonnes.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/13667799_1271332232907594_3026680606191525094_o-e1468458245767.jpg
The Statue holds the “Green Dragon Crescent Blade”.

The piece acts as an impressive centre piece of the Guan Yu Park in Jingzhou, with an 8,000 square metre Guan Yu Museum inside the pedestal that was designed to mimic an ancient warship.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/13641045_1271333862907431_4968930697570516045_o-e1468458391609.jpg
There is an 8,000 square metre museum to the historical figure beneath the statue. Image by CCTV

Guan Yu was a real person who lived in China during the Three Kingdoms Period, and served as a General with a fearless reputation in the late Eastern Han dynasty.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/13613428_1271333039574180_2219693580798610333_o-e1468458491251.jpg
The figure of Guan Yu stands at 58 metres tall. Image by CCTV




This looks magnificent.

[GeneChing]

Colossal Guan Yu Statue On Guan Gong Museum (http://mikeshouts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Colossal-Guan-Yu-Statue-On-Guan-Gong-Museum-Featured-image-672x372.jpg)
LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL
COLOSSAL 190-FOOT STATUE OF CHINA DEIFIED WARRIOR IS SIMPLY BREATHTAKING (http://mikeshouts.com/colossal-190-foot-statue-of-china-deified-warrior-is-simply-breathtaking/)
UPDATED JULY 16, 2016 MIKE CHUA

Among the many things China is capable of achieving is building insanely huge or complex structures and the colossal statue of Chinese legendary General Guan Yu (or more commonly known as Guan Gong, which loosely translates to ‘Lord Guan’) is the latest example. Located in Jingzhou City, Hubei province, this imposing statue designed by renown artist Han Meilin measures 58 meters (190 feet) tall and weighs an incredible 1,200 tons and that’s yet to include the traditional Chinese staff and blade combo weapon known as ‘Qing Long Yan Yue Dao’ (loosely translate to “Green Dragon Crescent Blade“) the deified warrior holds in his right hand.

http://mikeshouts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Colossal-Guan-Yu-Statue-On-Guan-Gong-Museum-image-1-630x354.jpg
Majestic as it is imposing: this effigy is clad in bronze and stands 190 feet tall

The said weapon stretches 70 meters (230 feet) and weighs in at an uber hefty 136 tons. All told, the entire bronze-clad effigy comes in at a mind-numbing 1,336 tons, which is nearly six times heavier than the Statue of Liberty. The statue, officially unveiled on June 17, is situated atop of Guan Gong Museum at the heart of Guan Gong Righteous Park – one of the designated focal points of Jingzhou city’s tourist attraction. Construction of the park kicked off in February 2014 with a total of 15 billion Yuan (roughly about US2.24 billion) invested.

http://mikeshouts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Colossal-Guan-Yu-Statue-On-Guan-Gong-Museum-image-2-630x354.jpg
All 1,336 tons of it is ready for battle

With such an obscene amount sunk into the project, it is only natural that it draw flak from the Internet, but we are not going dwell in it cos’ this statue is nonetheless, a testimony of Chinese engineering feat and that’s not to mention that it did provide jobs over the last two years in construction and will continue to do so as the park and museum operates.

Apart from the obvious like boosting tourism, the Guan Gong project also aims to fortify Jingzhou’s status as the history and cultural city. With a theme revolving around ‘righteousness’, the Guan Gong Museum is a place to showcase the man’s righteous spirit. Unfortunately, we are not able to locate the official website, if any, of this majestic venue, but I am sure if you are keen, you will find your way there when you hit up Jingzhou City, Hubei province.

http://mikeshouts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Colossal-Guan-Yu-Statue-On-Guan-Gong-Museum-image-3-630x354.jpg
A bird’s eye view of the statue shows how enormous it is

http://mikeshouts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Colossal-Guan-Yu-Statue-On-Guan-Gong-Museum-image-4-630x420.jpg
The staff and crescent blade combo weapon stretches 230 feet and weighs 136 tons

http://mikeshouts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Colossal-Guan-Yu-Statue-On-Guan-Gong-Museum-image-5-630x420.jpg
Guan Yu is a General know for his righteousness in the era of Three Kingdoms

Additional images via Sina.

Source and images via Sploid and Hubei Provincial [CH]

I love that last pic. Spectacular.

I'll give a free subscription (http://www.martialartsmart.com/19341.html) to the first member here that posts a real photo of them in front of this wearing a got qi? shirt (http://www.martialartsmart.com/95-036w.html) on this thread. NO PHOTOSHOP. Gotta be the real thing. And it has to be to a U.S. address. :cool:

[GeneChing]

Sheet happens.


Giant statue of Chinese god covered up with sheet in Indonesia after upsetting local Muslims (http://shanghaiist.com/2017/08/11/guan-yu-covered-indonesia.php)
BY ALEX LINDER IN NEWS ON AUG 11, 2017 9:30 AM

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/alexlinder/guan_yu_covered3.jpg

A colossal statue of a Chinese god has been unceremoniously covered up by a giant white sheet in Indonesia after upsetting the local Muslim population
The giant god-turned-ghost is Guan Yu, a heroic Three Kingdoms era general who was later immortalized as a folk deity in China. The 30.4-meter-tall statue reportedly cost 2.5 billion Indonesian rupiahs ($187,000) to build and was funded by private donations to the Kwan Sing Bio Temple in Tuban, East Java.
It was publicly unveiled last month at a ceremony held inside the temple that was attended by prominent local politicians. Billed as the largest statue of Guan Yu in Southeast Asia, it was hoped that the colossus might help to attract more tourists to the city.
Instead, so far, the giant statue has attracted only outrage from the locals of Tuban, who are predominately Muslim. Online, many argued that the statue was an affront to Islam and the local people of Indonesia, claiming that it showed how the Chinese were in fact in control of Indonesia's government. Others claimed that the statue was built on public land and without the proper building permits -- despite the fact that the statue was entirely built on land owned by the temple.

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The decision to cover up the statue was made last weekend by the temple's management following consultation with a governmental organization, the Forum of Religious Harmony, which is tasked with ensuring peace between different religious groups in the country, as a way of calming down the situation.
However, local Muslims have said that merely covering up Guan Yu is not good enough, vowing that if the government does not take action to tear down the statue, then they will do it themselves, holding rallies outside governmental buildings this week to urge local authorities to demolish the ancient warrior god.
Didik Muadi, the leader of the protests, told the local news site Tempo that the statue of the Chinese god should be torn down and replaced with one honoring Indonesia's national heroes who helped fight for independence, though he is apparently fine with the temple erecting a statue to their god... just so long as it isn't so big.
“Actually we can allow them to build the statue, just not as high as it was and it should be in the temple, not outside," he said, adding that "We are tolerant."
Sounds like Didik should really avoid ever paying a vist to the waterfront of Hubei's Jingzhou city.

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/shang_shanghaiist/guan_yu6.jpg

[Orion Paximus]

I mean that's cool and all, but for real, where did that get a sheet that big so quickly?

[GeneChing]

I've heard Lord Guan and General Guan but not Duke Guan.


Why Guan Yu – warrior god known as Duke Guan – is worshipped in Hong Kong and Asia by police, gangsters … and businessmen alike (https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3017346/revered-police-gangsters-and-businessmen-warrior-deity-duke)
The god was a historical figure, a third-century general named Guan Yu, famed for his loyal service to warlord Liu Bei
Shrines to Duke Guan are common sight in shops, restaurants, police stations and gangsters’ hideouts, and he has numerous temples devoted to him
Athena Chan
Published: 10:00am, 6 Jul, 2019

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/d8/images/methode/2019/07/06/5977cf26-9e2d-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_image_hires_141942.jpg?itok=ujMrdsJZ&v=1562393996
Chinese deity Guan Yu at the Tin Hau Temple in Yau Ma Tei. Photo: Paul Rushton/Alamy

Hong Kong has a varied cast of ancient deities. But there is one god so popular that both police and gangsters worship him: Duke Guan, also known as Emperor Guan. He is not only a mythical character but also based on a historical figure, named Guan Yu.
Duke Guan features prominently in Hong Kong popular culture, from the famous Young and Dangerous film series to TV dramas. Shrines to Duke Guan are commonly found in restaurants, shops, police stations and even thieves’ lairs.

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/06/f5db39f6-9e29-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_1320x770_141942.jpg
A statue of Guan Yu in Sha Lo Tung. Photo: Winson Wong

There are also numerous martial temples and shrines dedicated to the deity in Hong Kong, as well as across mainland China, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. The New Territories alone has 13 temples dedicated to Duke Guan, compared with only three in his hometown of Yuncheng, Shanxi province.
This week, City Weekend explores this famous folk deity who straddles Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism and is revered by followers.

How did Guan Yu become a god?

Guan Yu was a brave and loyal general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He was captured by enemy forces in an ambush, and executed in AD219 in Linju, Hubei province.
Guan Yu was not immediately treated as a god. In Linju, where he was executed, people first started to worship him out of fear. Because Guan had been defeated and executed, people were afraid that he would become a devil and do harm.
Having a long signature, hirsute beard, described as “peerless” in the Chinese historical text Records of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu has a majestic appearance in various Chinese folk stories and religions. His other iconic look is that of a face painted red, streaked with black lines, which symbolises loyalty and righteousness in Chinese opera. Most of the statues of him feature his ever-present trademark sword, the Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/06/59025336-9e2d-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_1320x770_141942.jpg
Guan Yu depicted in his red-face glory at a street shrine in Hong Kong. Photo: Alamy

The earliest origins of Guan Yu’s deification date back to the Sui dynasty (AD581-618) in the Buddhist tradition. His achievements were later glorified and elevated to an extent that seven emperors, eager to extol the values of loyalty and righteousness throughout their reigns, bestowed on him the longest posthumous title of a god, exceeding 24 Chinese characters, praising him as a great holy deity of war, supporter of peace and promoter of morality and righteousness.
Why is he worshipped across industries?
The worship of Guan Yu was commonly encouraged by emperors until the early Song dynasty. Folk culture had cultivated reverence for Duke Guan among the people, especially after Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a historical novel written some time between the late Yuan and the early Ming dynasty (1367–1399). Some emperors later resumed the worship of Duke Guan, due to Guan Yu’s good reputation throughout the empire.
At least 22 trades and industries worship Duke Guan, praying to him for health, family harmony, justice, marriage, fertility, prosperity and luck. Duke Guan is an almighty god customised to everyone’s needs.

How influential is he?

Being one of the most popular and influential deities of imperial China, Duke Guan has the same importance as the Buddhist bodhisattva Guanyin, or Kwun Yum, as known in Hong Kong. In Confucianism, he is of the same rank as Confucius. Lord Guan is honoured as one of the “Saints of War”, also known as the “Saint of Wu”, as a translation of the Chinese term reflecting the ability to use violence in a positive way, while Confucius is called a “Saint of Culture”. In Taoism, Guan Yu is a guardian deity.

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/06/f3059302-9e29-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_1320x770_141942.jpg
A portrait of Guan Yu at a protest site during 2014’s Occupy movement. Photo: Sam Tsang

Although it might seem ironic, both police and triads bow to statues of Guan Yu before going on their respective missions. The police regard Duke Guan as a saint signifying loyalty, righteousness, benevolence, bravery and credibility. A minor difference in the statues police and thieves worship is that the ones in police stations usually hold the blade in the right hand, while those used by triads wield it in the left, representing worship by the paths of justice and crime respectively.
Owners of shops and restaurants believe that putting a statue of Duke Guan in the home can bring prosperity, exorcise evil spirits and protect the house.

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/07/06/3f95c1ec-9e2a-11e9-baa5-dd214ed0de8f_1320x770_141942.jpg
A massive Guan Yu statue in Jingzhou, mainland China.

How might a warrior god bring prosperity?

It was understood that Guan Yu was good at managing finance and invented a special method of keeping accounts. He was thus regarded as an accounting expert by merchants and shopkeepers, honoured as a god of commerce. Guan Yu’s emblematic qualities of credibility and loyalty – much prized in trade – also made him a respected deity.
It is also said that Guan Yu’s spirit is always capable of fighting a victorious battle, which appeals to businesspeople who believe in never giving up.
Putting up a statue of Duke Guan can also improve the feng shui of a home as a way of protection. In addition, statues of Duke Guan were usually placed in hospitals and funeral venues, keeping people safe from disease and death. Some oppose this practice, saying this object of devotion is not the real historical Guan Yu but an imaginary figure of perfection.
Nonetheless, Guan Yu has long been a cultural symbol of loyalty and righteousness. It is this steadfastness that Hong Kong people also seek in their worship of the deity.

[GeneChing]

I thought I'd share it here because it's getting a nice reception there. :cool:


Gene Ching (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214707308538199&set=a.10201991783058009&type=3&theater&comment_id=10214707418380945&reply_comment_id=10214707508903208&force_theater=1&notif_t=photo_comment&notif_id=1567185203453602)

https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/69161630_10214707308618201_1450464100000727040_n.j pg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_eui2=AeGntibmbMhJKJ_kpKK5z_aHrJRt5ZTYHPXwwtnM3 uigm2cHwDFXXw9OR6USzcQ79yGDMwtv9cNuHobFDkvetNRtWaA XjoLi2LhrJ6qsy1kzNA&_nc_oc=AQm2mrRK8P1syyR4GKRjoIhETaYdYvADYkFrxKJMlLP J4rdotOB8HzKfnIE0nDCHayQ&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=732eeb1c6fc1bc1796e74d4339ae5c6b&oe=5E12714A

FF: 1995 Luoyang Guanlin Temple. This is the burial place of the head of the patron saint of martial arts, Lord Guanyu. He was decaptitated so the head was mounted on a body of sandalwood. Only one other burial temple in China has the honor of the use of the suffix 'lin' - which usually means 'forest' but here means 'tomb' - and that is the tomb of Confucius.

The Guandao (the weapon I'm lifting) was named after Lord Guan and is one of my favorite weapons of Kung Fu. When Lord Guan wielded it, it was called Green Dragon Crescent Blade (青龍偃月刀) because according to legend, it was forged with the blood of a green dragon. It was also nickamed Frozen Glory (冷艷鋸 - literally 'cold sexy amputator).

[SPJ]

Personally, there is a key thing that is missing.

The horse.

:)

[SteveLau]

Great art work. The man is my idol.



Regards,

KC
Hong Kong