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Guan-Yu, Guan-Me, Guan-Di

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  Quote Nick1986 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Guan-Yu, Guan-Me, Guan-Di
    Posted: 15-Jun-2011 at 19:43

Guan-Yu was a Chinese general who fought at the Battle of Red Cliffs. After his death he was worshipped as a god of war by Buddhists, Taoists and Confucianists. He weilds a type of glaive called a guan dao and favors the righteous
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  Quote Nick1986 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18-Jun-2011 at 08:57
To Evil Dead fans, Guan-Yu appears as the villain in My Name is Bruce. He has many strange attributes, including being the god of Bean curd
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  Quote Grimith Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-Aug-2011 at 00:28
One thing I feel compelled to point out. Guan Yu did not historically use the weapon known as a Guan Dao. That weapon was not invented until the Song dynasty, and was designed as an anti-cavalry weapon (though there is some evidence that it was in very minor use during the Tang dynasty). But regardless, it was not in use during the time Guan Yu was alive, as he lived roughly 500 years before the weapon's invention.

Also, as another tidbit, here is Guan Yu's biography from the compilation of Chinese generals and ministers who lived during the Three Kingdoms period. The book is called the "San Guo Zhi". There is no complete translation into English, but there are a fairly large number of translated works that are hosted on the internet, and if you wish to know where to find these, I'd be happy to share links.

Guan Yu (Yunchang)
關羽 (雲長)
(AD 162-219)

Pei Songzhi in Blue, Translator Notes in Green
Translated by Jack Yuan

Sanguozhi Scroll 36 Shu 6

Guan Yu 關羽, styled Yunchang 雲長, originally had the style Changsheng 長生and was from Jie in Hedong 河東. He fled for his life to Zhuojun commandery 涿郡. The Former Lord 先主 was recruiting followers in his hometown, and Yu and Zhang Fei 張飛 elected to fight for him on the battlefield. When the Former Lord became Chancellor of Pingyuan 平原相, Yu and Fei were made Majors with a Separate Command 別部司馬, each with command of their own private troops. The Former Lord shared the same bed with the two and they treated one other with the kindness of brothers. At grand gatherings, however, they always stood in his service. They followed the Former Lord everywhere, no matter how difficult or dangerous (1). After the Former Lord made a surprise attack on Che Zhou 車冑, Inspector of Xuzhou 徐州刺史, Yu was ordered to garrison the city of Xiapi 下邳, undertaking the duties of the Grand Administrator 太守 (2), whilst Liu Bei himself returned to Xiaopei 小沛.

1: Shu ji 蜀記: Duke Cao 曹公 and Liu Bei besieged Lü Bu 呂布 at Xiapi. Guan Yu proposed to the Duke that since Bu had dispatched Qin Yilu 秦宜祿 to seek reinforcements, he requested to take Qin’s wife in marriage. The Duke consented. Before the city fell, he repeated his proposal many more times to the Duke. The Duke suspected that she possessed a particular beauty. Later he sent to see her first and kept her for himself. Yu was not at ease. This account is no different to that given in Weishi chunqiu 魏氏春秋.
2: Wei shu 魏書: Yu was given control of Xuzhou.

In the fifth year of Jian’an 建安, Duke Cao campaigned in the east and the Former Lord fled to Yuan Shao 袁紹. The Duke captured Yu and brought him back. He made him Lieutenant-General 偏將軍, treating him with high honours. Shao sent his great general Yan Liang 顏良 to attack Liu Yan 劉延, Grand Administrator of Dongjun commandery 東郡太守, at Baima 白馬. Duke Cao sent Zhang Liao 張遼 and Yu as vanguard. Yu saw the standard on the chariot of Liang. He urged his mount on, speared Yan Liang in the ranks of the ten-thousand, and brought his head back. None of Shao’s generals were a match for him and thus the siege of Baima was unravelled. Duke Cao subsequently recommended Yu for enfeoffment as Marquis of Hanshouting 漢壽亭侯. From the offset, Duke Cao had valued the way Yu conducted himself but he detected that he had no thought of remaining for long, and said to Zhang Liao: “Use your friendship to test him out.” Soon Liao questioned Yu, Yu sighed: “I know very well that the Duke Cao has treated me well, but I have received General Liu’s earnest benevolence, and sworn to die by him. I cannot betray him. In the end I will not be able to stay, but I will repay Duke Cao with meritorious service before I leave.” Zhang Liao reported Yu’s words to Duke, and the Duke saw the justice of it (3). After Yu had killed Yan Liang, Duke Cao knew that he would leave, and rewarded him generously. Yu sealed all which was bestowed, left a farewell letter, and set off for the Former Lord in the Yuan army. Although his attendants urged pursuit, Duke Cao said: “Each vassal is for his lord, do not give chase (4).”

3: Fuzi 傅子: Zhang Liao wanted to report it to the Grand Progenitor, but feared that he would kill Yu. But not reporting it was not the way a man served his lord. So he sighed and said: “Duke, you are my lord and father whilst Yu is my brother.” Then he submitted his report. The Grand Progenitor said: “A man who serves his lord does not forget his origins, he is a just gentleman of the empire. When do you think he will leave?” Zhang Liao said: “Yu has received your benevolence. He will leave after he has repaid you.”
4: Your subject [Pei] Songzhi []松之 considers that Duke Cao knew that Yu was not going to stay, and admired his determination. By not sending someone in pursuit when Yu left, he confirmed his sense of righteousness. If he did not have the magnanimity of a hegemon, how could he accomplish this? Truly, this was the virtue of Duke Cao.

[Guan Yu] followed the Former Lord in joining Liu Biao 劉表. Biao died and Duke Cao secured Jingzhou province. The Former Lord planned to travel from Fan and cross the Jiang to the south. He ordered Yu with several hundred ships to rendevous at Jiangling 江陵. Duke Cao pursued to Changban 長阪 in Dangyang 當陽. The Former Lord followed a minor road to cross the Hanjin Ford 漢津 and met up with Yu’s fleet. Together they progressed to Xiakou 夏口 (5). Sun Quan 孫權 sent troops to support the Former Lord in opposing Duke Cao. Duke Cao led his army in retreat. The Former Lord seized the various commanderies of Jiangnan 江南 and rewarded those who had given the greatest service. Yu was made Grand Administrator of Xiangyang 襄陽太守 and General Who Purges Criminals 蕩寇將軍, and ordered to garrison Jiangbei 江北. The Former Lord advanced west, secured Yizhou province 益州, and appointed Yu to be in charge of the administration of Jingzhou province 荊州. Yu heard that Ma Chao 馬超 had come to surrender despite the fact that he had never been an ally. Yu then wrote a letter to Zhuge Liang 諸葛亮 asking: “To whom can Ma Chao’s ability be compared?” Liang knew that Yu was eager to stand out and shield his shortcomings, so he replied: “Mengqi 孟起 is versed in military and civil affairs, brave and strong beyond ordinary men. He is prominent man of our times, the like of Ying and Peng . He can contest victory with Yide 益德 in combat but cannot better ‘the bearded’, who is unsurpassed among his fellows.” Yu had a magnificent beard, hence Liang referred to him as ‘the bearded’. After reading the letter, Yu was greatly pleased and displayed it to his retainers.

5: Shu ji: Earlier, when Liu Bei was at Xu, he went hunting with Duke Cao. During the chase, the hunting party dispersed and Guan Yu urged Bei to kill the Duke, but Bei refused. Then at Xiakou, adrift on an islet in the Jiang, in anger Yu said: “Once, during the hunt, had you followed my words, we wouldn’t be in the predicament we’re in today.” Bei said: “That occasion was to the deep regret of the state. But if the way of Heaven is to support the righteous, how can you know that that was not to our good fortune?”

Guan Yu was once struck by a stray arrow which pierced his left arm and although the wound healed, on every occasion of rain, his bones would be in extreme pain. The physician said: “The arrowhead was poisoned and the poison has entered the bone. The wound needs to be opened and the poison scraped from the bone. Only then can the pain be eliminated.” Guan Yu promptly ordered the physician to operate on his arm. At the time Guan Yu had invited his generals for a feast and his blood flowed to fill a waiting pan. Yet Guan Yu carved his roast, drank wine and relaxed with conversation and laughter.

In the twenty-fourth year [219], the Former Lord became King of Hanzhong 漢中王 and assigned Guan Yu General of the Van 前將軍, and bestowed insignia and ceremonial axe . That year, Guan Yu led his followers to besiege Cao Ren 曹仁 at Fan. Duke Cao sent Yu Jin 于禁 to aid Cao Ren. In autumn, great torrential rains fell, the Han River became swollen and broke its banks. Yu Jin’s seven armies were drowned. Yu Jin surrendered and Guan Yu beheaded the general Pang De 龐德. The disorganised bandits of Liang , Jia and Lu accepted the command of Guan Yu as his adherents. Guan Yu’s prestige was felt throughout China. Duke Cao debated relocating his capital Xu to evade the cutting edge. The Renowned King Sima 司馬宣王 and Jiang Ji 蔣濟 were of the conviction that with Guan Yu’s ambition, Sun Quan would not be content to sit by. They suggested that an emissary could be sent to Sun Quan to partition Jiangnan for his domains and to advise him to assault Guan Yu’s rear. In this way, the siege of Fan would unravel of its own accord. Duke Cao followed their suggestion. Earlier Sun Quan had sent an emissary to request marriage between his son and Guan Yu’s daughter. Guan Yu refused and cursed the emissary; Sun Quan was greatly angered (6). Also Mi Fang 麋芳, Grand Administrator of Nanjun 南郡太守, and General Fushi Ren 傅士仁, stationed at Gongan 公安, both felt that Guan Yu was indifferent to them. When Guan Yu left for the campaign, Mi Fang and Fushi Ren were responsible for supplying the army and did not provide relief. For this Guan Yu vowed, “You will be disciplined when the army returns.” Mi Fang and Fushi Ren were anxious and restless. Then Sun Quan covertly incited them and Fang and Ren sent emissaries to acquiesce. Duke Cao sent Xu Huang 徐晃 to reinforce Cao Ren (7). Guan Yu could not overcome them and led his troops in retreat. Sun Quan had occupied Jiangling, taken all of Guan Yu’s retainers and family captive. Hence Guan Yu’s army disbanded. Sun Quan sent his generals to beset Guan Yu and beheaded Guan Yu and his son Ping at Linju 臨沮 (8).

6: Dian lue 典略: Yu besieged Fan. Sun Quan sent an emissary to request relief [or request to help]. The emissary he sent did not advance swiftly, so he sent his Master of Records 主溥 with his command to Yu. Yu was angry that he was late, and had also just acquired Yu Jin and others. So he cursed: “How dare you! If I took take Fancheng, then see if I don’t exterminate you!’ When Quan heard of this, he knew that Yu underestimated himself. He wrote a false letter to placate Yu and agreed to go himself. Your subject Songzhi considers that though Jing and Wu were allied on the outside, inside they both have suspicions and prepare against each other. Hence Quan assaulted Yu, covertly marshalled his army and secretly sent them out. As Lü Meng’s biography says: “He disguised his elite troops as merchants, wearing plain clothing, and hidden in barges.” In this manner of speaking, had Yu not requested aid from Quan, then Quan would surely not have said to Yu that he would lead troops to join him. Had he allowed aid to be given, then why hide the evidence of his true feelings?
7: Shu ji: “Huang dismounted and proclaimed: ‘Whoever takes the head of Guan Yunchang will be rewarded with a thousand jin of gold.’ Yu was shocked and afraid. He said to Huang: ‘Big brother, what words you speak!’ Huang said: ‘These are the affairs of state.’”
8: Shu ji: “Quan sent his generals to attack Yu, they captured Yu as well as his son Ping. Quan wanted to let Yu live to oppose Liu and Cao. His attendants said: ‘A wolf cub should not be reared, it will surely be of harm in the future. Duke Cao did not eliminate him, and acquired for himself a great threat. He has discussed even moving the capital. How can we let him live!’ Then he was beheaded.” Your subject Songzhi has browsed Wu shu 吳書: Sun Quan sent his general Pan Zhang 潘璋 to first sever Yu’s route of retreat. When Yu reached there, he was beheaded. However, Linju was two or three hundred li from Jiangling. How could he tolerate not killing Yu in timely fashion, and discuss his life and death. It also says: “Quan wanted to let Yu live to oppose Liu and Cao.” This is not so, it can be determined that this is not what a wise man would say. Wu li 吳歷: “Quan sent Yu’s head to Duke Cao, who buried it with the honours of a noble lord.”

Guan Yu received the posthumous appellation of ‘Marquis Zhuangmou’ 壯繆侯 (9). His son Xing succeeded the noble title. Xing, styled Anguo 安國, was of good repute from youth. The Lieutenant-chancellor 承相 Zhuge Liang regarded him highly. When Guan Xing came of age, he became Palace Attendant 侍中, Supervisor of the Army 中監軍, and died a few years later. His son Guan Tong succeeded, married a princess, and reached the rank of General of the Gentlemen of the Household as Rapid as Tigers 虎賁中郎將. He died without a son, so Guan Xing’s son by concubine, Guan Yi , succeeded his noble title (10).

9: Shu ji: “When Yu first went on campaign to besiege Fan, he dreamt that his foot was gored by a pig. He said to his son Guan Ping: ‘Alas, I will perish this year, and won’t be able to return here.’” Jiangbiao zhuan 江表傳: “Yu was fond of the Zuoshi zhuan 左氏傳, and could recite it all from memory. “
10: Shu ji: “[Pang] Hui , son of Pang De, accompanied Zhong [Hui] and Deng [Ai] on expedition against Shu. When Shu was defeated, he exterminated the entire household of the Guan clan.”

Appraisal: It was said that Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were the match of ten thousand men and tiger generals of their times. Guan Yu repaid Duke Cao and Zhang Fei treated Yan Yan with rectitude; both had the airs of statesmen. However, Guan Yu was headstrong and Zhang Fei crude and heartless. It is the standard moral that they fell due to these weaknesses. Ma Chao relied on the Rong and was conceited in his valiance. For this his entire clan was exterminated, what a ignominy! But to gain peace in such a predicament, is this not some recompense? Huang Zhong and Zhao Yun were firm, courageous and both were of immense service. They were probably the like of Guan Ying and the Lord of Teng [Xiahou Ying].


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  Quote Logicv Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-Aug-2011 at 00:59
Something I find interesting about Guan Yu is that the triads pray to him when they're going out to do their business, and the police pray to him with aid against the triads. Which side does he help?
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  Quote Grimith Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15-Aug-2011 at 01:06
Originally posted by Logicv

Something I find interesting about Guan Yu is that the triads pray to him when they're going out to do their business, and the police pray to him with aid against the triads. Which side does he help?


Neither side likely.
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  Quote Nick1986 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14-Sep-2012 at 20:05
Me Grimlock not nice Dino! Me bash brains!
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  Quote BoPoMoFo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-Oct-2012 at 22:20
Guan Yu, being extremely loyal to his sworn brothers, is a god of brotherhood, especially where men's lives depend heavily on each other.
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  Quote BoPoMoFo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-Oct-2012 at 22:22
Originally posted by Nick1986

 
This is just a comedic video made by a (deliberately?) ignorant White person.
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  Quote BoPoMoFo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28-Oct-2012 at 22:24
真三国无双关羽
 
Typical Guan Yu depiction.
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  Quote Nick1986 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-Oct-2012 at 09:04
Originally posted by BoPoMoFo

Originally posted by Nick1986

 
This is just a comedic video made by a (deliberately?) ignorant White person.

Correct. It's from a comedy called My Name is Bruce
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