Page 141 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols

erished family with Imperial linkage, was known to be a man

of honour. He was later to distinguish himself by founding the

Later Han Dynasty. Kuan Yu, a powerful figure of more than

eight feet tall, possessed an enigmatic personality and integrity

which won him respect of all whom he met.

Together these three newly sworn brothers set out and became

involved in military pursuits, Kuan Ti once serving under the

crafty and famous Ts’ao Ts’ao. ey displayed great military

prowess and fought many battles which can be read in full details

in the famous novels of “e Romance of the ree Kingdoms”.

Kuan Yu proved himself worthy of the honour and affection of

those who fought with him for he was brave and generous and

was never known to turn aside from danger. He also proved his

fidelity on the occasion when he was taken prisoner together

with the wife and concubines of Liu Pei, and having been allo-

cated a common sleeping quarters with the ladies, he preserved

their reputation and his own trustworthiness by sitting all night

through, outside their door, reading a book under the bright

light of a candle. ere is also another version of this account

which stated that he stood through the night at the door of the

ladies’ room with a lighted lantern in his hand.

In the recorded history of his life Kuan Yu had many occasions

to display his nobility, uprightness, integrity, loyalty and bravery.

He lived at a time of great distress and chaos when the virtue

of the Han Dynasty, set up in 202 B.C., began to decline and

uprising, warring, dissatisfactions and rebellions were rampant.

Temptations of acquiring wealth, fame and power did not deter

 