Marshal Guan, also known as “Guan Sheng Di Jun” or simply “Guan Di”, is known by his courtesy name Yunchang. In Taoism, he is revered as “Loyalty, Righteousness, Divine Spirit, Blessing, Righteousness, Brave, Mighty, Virtuous, Protector of the Country, Protector of the People, Sincere Pacification, Yizan, Xuande, Guan Sheng Da Di”. He is also known as “Dangmo Tian Zun” or “Fu Mo Tian Zun”. He is regarded as one of the four guardians of the law (Marshal Ma, Marshal Zhao, Marshal Wen, Marshal Guan) and worshipped as the God of Wealth. Its functions include not only “treating diseases and disasters, dispelling evil spirits and warding off evil, punishing rebels, and inspecting the underworld”, but also “appointing officials, protecting merchants, and attracting wealth and treasures”.
The Guan Emperor was virtuous, upright, loyal, and righteous. He rose from a general to a marquis and became a king, becoming a saint. Throughout his life, he was loyal, righteous, benevolent, and brave, and his integrity was renowned throughout the world. For thousands of years, he has been revered by the descendants of the Yellow Emperor both at home and abroad as a martial arts sage and a literary sage like Confucius.
In the year of Wanli (1573-1620), he was conferred the title of “God of the Three Realms, Demon Suppressing Emperor, Shenwei Yuanzhen Tianzun Guansheng Emperor. Its function is both a martial god and a god of wealth, attracting wealth and treasures; It is the function of the Minister of Rites, to bless the imperial examinations, to cure diseases and eliminate disasters, to drive away evil, to punish rebels, to inspect the underworld, and to protect and attract wealth and treasures. Its vision and power are boundless.
The 24th day of the sixth lunar month is the Christmas of Guan Sheng Emperor. May 13th is the day of the arrival of the Guan Sheng Emperor and the sharpening of the Guan Emperor’s knife.
Legend has it that during the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, the drought demon caused a disturbance and drained the water from the salt pond. Zhenzong proclaimed Zhang Tianshi (the 30th generation Zhang Jixian Tianshi). At the request of the Heavenly Master, Emperor Guan subdued demons and monsters, fought hard for seven days, and on May 13th, a sweet rain fell from the sky. Therefore, later generations called May 13th the “Rain Festival”, and there is a saying that “a great drought cannot last until May 13th” and “May 13th will bring rain”. Later on this day, the common people held temple fairs to pray for the manifestation of the Guan Emperor’s spirit, the suppression of demons and disasters, and the widespread rainfall. Therefore, on May 13th every year, the Guan Emperor personally demonstrated by sharpening knives outside the South Gate and brought rain.
According to folk belief, if it rains on this day, it means that “Guan Gong” is sharpening his knife, and the water used to sharpen the knife falls from the South Heavenly Gate to the mortal world. Rain is a good omen, and the heavier the rain, the better, indicating that the situation of that year will be “smooth sailing and peaceful for the country and the people”. On the 13th day of the fifth lunar month, which is the Rain Festival, thunderstorms often occur. The thunder is the sound of Guan Laoye sharpening his knife, and the rain is Guan Laoye’s sharpening water.
According to statistics, there have been 16 emperors in history who have conferred titles on him 23 times, with titles ranging from marquis to king, from king to emperor, and even to Guan Sheng Emperor. It can be said that his favor is extraordinary and he has stood alone for eternity. Therefore, he completed the transformation process of “marquis to king, king to emperor, emperor to saint” from man to god (only a part of which is listed below).
In 260 AD, Liu Shan, the ruler of Shu Han, posthumously honored him with the title of “Marquis of Zhuangmu”
In the first year of Chongning reign of Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty (1102 AD), he was posthumously conferred the title of “Zhonghui Gong”
In the third year of Chongning reign of Emperor Huizong (1104 AD), Guan Gong was conferred the title of “Ning Zhenjun”
In the second year of Daguan (1108), he was re conferred the title of “King of Wu’an”
In the fifth year of the Xuanhe reign (1123 AD), he was once again conferred the title of “King of Wu’an of Righteousness and Bravery”
In the second year of Jianyan reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty (1128 AD), he was conferred the title of “King Zhuangmu of Wu’an” for his bravery and bravery
In the 14th year of the Chunxi reign of Emperor Xiaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty (1187), he was conferred the title of “King of Zhuangmu, Righteous and Brave, Wu’an, Yingji”
In the first year of the Tianli reign of Emperor Wenzong of the Yuan Dynasty (1328), he was conferred the title of “King of Xianling, Yiyong, Wu’an, Yingji”
In the 27th year of the Hongwu reign of Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty (1329), a decree was issued to build the Guanmiao Temple in the capital (now Nanjing)
Emperor Xianzong of the Ming Dynasty ordered the reconstruction of the Guan Gong Temple;
In the tenth year of the Wanli reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Ming Dynasty (1528), he was conferred the title of “Emperor Xietian Huguo Zhongyi”; Later, the imperial edict bestowed the title of “Yinglie Temple” upon the Guandi Temple in Jiezhou
In the forty second year of the Wanli reign (1614), Guan Gong was conferred the title of “Great Demon Suppressing Emperor of the Three Realms, Mighty and Resounding Emperor Guan Sheng”
In the first year of the Shunzhi reign of Emperor Shizu of the Qing Dynasty (1644), Guan Gong was conferred the title of “Loyalty, Righteousness, Divine Warrior, and Holy Emperor of Guan”
During the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, he was conferred the title of “Great Demon Suppressor”
In the 53rd year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, he was conferred the title of “Loyalty, Righteousness, Divine Martial Arts, and Spiritual Blessing to Guan Sheng Emperor”
In the fifth year of the Guangxu reign of Emperor Dezong (1879), Guan Gong was conferred the title of “Loyalty, Righteousness, Divine Martial Spirit, Blessing, Benevolence, Bravery, Might, Protection of the Country and the People, Sincere Pacification, Yizan, Xuande, Guan Sheng Emperor”
Guan Sheng Di Jun Bao Gao
Zhixin Guiming Ritual
Guan Sheng Da Tian Zun. The true God of Demon Suppression.
Lingling Yuquan Mountain. The British style often shakes the world.
Greatness and rigidity. Haoran has become righteous.
The pillar establishes the principles and routines. The sun and moon reveal one’s innermost thoughts.
Wearing a nine crown hat. Wear the Dragon Gun Robe.
Foot photography with purple cloud shoes. Hanging a white jade belt around the waist.
Human beings observe good and evil. Lei Bu and Tian Cao.
Life and death are only ordered. Qinglong Yanyue Blade.
One thought is self aware. Do not enter through certification.
Neither Hai nor Mu. Tai Chi is infinite.
Yuanshi Zhaotian Zun. Jiu Ku Tong Tai Yi.
Zhenjun has been passed down from ancient times. Push the window to virtue.
