Guan Yu

Guan Yu ([kwán ỳ] ; d. January or February 220), courtesy name Yunchang, was a military general under Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Together with Zhang Fei, he was among Liu Bei's earliest followers. After a brief period in Cao Cao's service in 200, during which he killed Yan Liang at the Battle of Boma, Guan Yu returned to Liu Bei. He later commanded Liu Bei's forces in Jing Province. In 219, Guan Yu attacked Cao Cao's forces at Fancheng, defeated and captured Yu Jin, and killed Pang De. While the campaign continued, Sun Quan ended his alliance with Liu Bei and sent Lü Meng to seize Liu Bei's territories in Jing Province. Guan Yu withdrew, was captured by Sun Quan's forces, and was executed with his son Guan Ping in early 220. Guan Yu was later worshipped in Chinese folk religion, Taoism, Chinese Buddhism, and popular Confucian traditions. Storytelling, drama, and the 14th-century novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms further developed his image as a model of loyalty and martial courage. In religious contexts he is commonly called "Lord Guan" (Guan Gong) or "Emperor Guan" (Guan Di).