Page 140 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols

He also devoted much time to serious studies and on one occa-

sion, displayed his excellent memory power by reciting word for

word, the entire volume of the Classics after reading it but once.

Kuan Yu’s other name is Yun-Chang.

rough his great love for justice and fair-play, Kuan Yu soon

got himself into deep trouble when he slayed the licentious and

corrupt magistrate who forced a poor girl to become his concu-

bine. is made him into a criminal and Kuan Yu had to flee for

his life into the mountains. As he was trying to cross over to the

neighbouring province he chanced to stop by a stream to have a

wash; when to his surprise he noticed a great change to his ap-

pearance! His facial complexion had changed from white to a

reddish tint which saved him the trouble to disguise himself so

that he was able to walk through the sentries who were guarding

the mountain pass without the least of problem.

Upon reaching Chu-Chou of the Szechuan Province he soon

befriended two others who shared his noble ideals and virtues

and they ended up as “sworn brothers” in a ceremony which has

been recorded in the history as the “Brotherhood at the Peach

Orchard”. Chang-fei, a butcher, became the youngest brother.

He was a man of fiery temper who had an unyielding sense of

justice and was well known for his immense appetite both for

food and adventure. He also had a black face which was full of

whiskers and together with his formidable frame of some seven

feet high, very few would dare cross his path. His great love and

loyalty to Kuan Yu has won him a place of honour so that he is

always seen standing behind Kuan Ti in all depictions. Liu Pei,

the elder brother who came from a distinguished but impov-

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