1. Imagining a Deity: The Guan Yu
Myth and Imagery in Early China
Galway Traynor & Christina Welter
Eckerd College
SEECR Nov 15, 2008

2. Introduction
• Sociopolitical/religious factors in the Song
promoting Guan Yu
• Connection between popular culture and
popular cults
• Examining imagery to determine changes to
Guan Yu cult in the Song

3. Popular Culture and Guan Yu
• Storytelling
– Tang transformation texts
– Use of imagery
– Popularity of Three Kingdoms story cycle

4. Buddhist and Daoist Narratives
• Buddhist
– Center on Yuquan
Monastery
– Focus on Guan Yu as
protector
– Violence only when
necessary
• Daoist
– Diffuse, with focal
point on Xie salt lake
– Focus on Guan Yu as
exorcist general
– Violence is nature,
though it can be
channeled

5. Personal and Bureaucratic
Models of Divinity
• Personal
– One on one
relationship
– Emphasis on loyalty
– Popular amongst laity
• Bureaucratic
– Heavily structured
– Emphasis on scholar-
official deity
– Popular with Imperial
Government

6. Imperially granted titles in the
Song
• Huizong
– 1102: Duke of Zhonghui
– 1108: King Wu’an
– 1123: King Wu’an of Righteousness and Bravery
• Gaozong
– 1128: King Wu’an of Strength, Solemnity,
Righteousness, and Bravery
• Xiaozong
– 1187: King Wu’an Yingji of Stength, Solemnity,
Righteousness and Bravery

7. Late Imperial Imaginings: Shang
Xi’s “Guan Yu Captures a General”

8. Four Main Symbols
• Long Beard
• Red Face
• Signature Weapon
• Association with
Chunqiu

9. Guan Yu’s Beard
• Found in Chen Shou’s
Sanguozhi
• Linked with Guan
Yu’s identity at early
stage
• Constant symbol

10. Red Face
• Originated in the Song
• Associated with
personal, violent, and
Daoist story
• Also heavily utilized
in storytelling and
opera

11. Green Dragon Crescent Moon
Blade
• Anachronistic
• Uncommon before
Song
• Evokes martial aspects
of Guan Yu
• Primarily offensive
weapon

12. Guan Yu’s Association with the
Chunqiu
• Found in the
Sanguozhi
• Emphasizes the
literary
• Fits with the
bureaucratic model
• Possibly mostly
promoted by the
government

13. Conclusion
• Guan Yu cult gains
popularity in Song
– Twin narratives
– Titles
– Popular culture
• Imagery provides
another measure to
examine the rise of the
Guan Yu cult in Song