GUAN GONG 关公

As the Han dynasty came to an end, the emperor had been reduced to a nominal ruler. This led to powerful clans and court officials fighting against each other to become the new ruler. At the same time, disenfranchised peasants began a series of uprisings. The most severe of these movements was the Yellow Turban Rebellion. As political disintegration intensified, warlords were no longer contented to be the power behind the throne but instead aimed to be rulers of their own empire. However, others remained loyal to the Han dynasty and fought to restore the power of the Han emperor.
Guan Gong belonged to the group that aimed to restore the Han dynasty. He had met two others who shared the same belief: Liu Bei, a distant member of the Han family and Zhang fei. The three became sworn brothers at the Peach Garden and swore to work together to revive the Han Dynasty. As a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei, during the establishment of China’s Three Kingdoms period, Guan Gong became well known for his integrity and bravery. As an individual, he was respected for his loyalty and righteousness. During a battle with Wu forces, Guan Gong was captured and beheaded. After his death, General Guan Gong became the embodiment of loyalty and brotherhood.

His pact with his two alliances provides a symbolism for how friends need to look out for one another in times of hardship. This idea provided motivation for Chinese migrants when they arrived in foreign lands. Guan Gong is greatly respected by others as reflected by the list of posthumous honours bestowed upon him by subsequent emperors. Guan Gong is normally depicted as either holding a book or a sword and in some cases both. The book displays his intelligence as it is believed he is the only person able to read a scripture from Confucius without being cross-eyed.
He also isplayed his intelligence in the battlefield where he was able to defeat his enemies by outwitting and out manoeuvring them. The sword depicts him as a strong and loyal warrior. Though he tried to avoid confrontation as much as possible, he would never shy away from battle. The Taoist worship Guan Gong as both the God of literature and God of War. Elsewhere the Chinese Buddhist regards him as Sangharama Bodhisattva. As Sangharama Bodhisattva, Guan Gong can normally be found in the Bell Tower of forest style Chinese Mahayana Buddhist Monastery.