Kung Fu Guan Yu Red Faced General

The kung fu display at each Golden Lion school contains a statue of a formidable warrior with a red face: his name is Guan Yu.

Who is he, and why does he receive such prominence in martial arts such as kung fu or tai chi?

To explain, you must go back to the history of Chinese martial arts. Back to a time before 200AD, to China, when it was just establishing itself as a growing empire with military and economic power.

Blossoms fell around the three young men. The sweet aroma of peach was in stark contrast to their sombre oath.

“Though not born on the same day of the same month in the same year, we hope to die so.” Their hands clasped firm and strong, gaze forthright as they looked to each other, confirming their commitment.

The three were not brothers, but their loyalty and affection made it seem so. Their promise of a lifelong bond of honour was strong than ties of blood. The three men were Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. Their code of nobility would earn them a place in history.

Years later, Guan Yu was seated opposite a wise old man on a hill, the tents of his army laid out below. They sip at their steaming tea and contemplate the game of Go on the low wooden table between them.

A physician examines a large gash on Guan Yu’s arm, the angry colour of the flesh and fetid odour revealing the advanced state of infection from an enemy’s poisoned blade.

Despite the lack of anaesthetic, Guan Yu steadfastly refuses the offer to tie his limb in place or of medication to ease the pain. In fact, he continues to play the game of strategy, calmly conversing with his elderly advisor and drinking his tea, as the physician scrapes the wound clear to the bone, carving out the poisoned flesh before the infection can spread.

Dramatised? Certainly. But no more so than stories of the Knights of the Round Table or the tales of Robin Hood. Such is the legend of Kung Fu's Guan Yu within Chinese culture that the epic of the “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” – of which Guan Yu plays a large part – has been retold many ways.

Guan Yu was a mortal man, though he is now revered as the Taoist God of War. However, due to the legends that have risen up around him, the facts of his life can be hard to ascertain.He fled his home town at the age of 23 after slaying a local bully. Five years later, he joined an army led by Liu Bei to quell a rebellion. Together with Zhang Fei, they fought the rebels in northern China.

Liu Bei was made governor of a province in reward, while his loyal lieutenants Zhang Fei and Guan Yu were made army commanders and given their own division of troops. After attack and counterattack between the Empire and rebel provinces, Liu Bei retreated, while Guan Yu was left to surrender to a rising warlord: Cao Cao. Shortly afterwards, Guan Yu was part of a contingent sent by Cao Cao to defend a nearby town from another warchief.

The opposing general besieging the town appeared unstoppable, slaying many renowned warriors in single combat for conquest rights. Guan Yu volunteered to fight. Dubious but running out of options, Cao Cao nonetheless offered Guan Yu a drink of warm wine for luck before sending the young warrior out onto the field. Guan Yu refused to drink, slipping from the tent. Before the wine had time to cool, he returned with the enemy’s head on his spear.

After completing this heroic deed, Guan Yu left Cao Cao to return to his oath-brother Liu Bei. So heartened and impressed with Guan Yu’s modesty and dedication to honour, that Cao Cao stopped his enraged troops from pursuing Guan Yu for his act of desertion.

In 219 AD, Liu Bei proclaimed himself the Emperor to try to halt the political turmoil of the time. He promoted his oath-brother and trusted commander Guan Yu to General of the Front. For all the legends that bring him to be worshipped as a deity, Guan Yu was still a mortal man and died the same year after being captured in battle.

Where did his red-faced countenance originate? He is known by it, often termed “The Red-faced General”. In Chinese opera, a red face demonstrates the character is loyal and virtuous, two qualities taught through kung fu and tai chi training at the Golden Lion Academy. Some also point out that a red face is often a sign of a righteous anger.

He is often depicted carrying a guan dao (or halberd) called the “Green Dragon Crescent Blade” that was reputed to weigh 18 kilograms! Sometimes he is shown with Zhang Fei and Liu Bei at his side.

For all that he is known as the God of War, Guan Yu was a warrior for peace. Together with his oath-brothers, they shared an ideal: to restore peace for all and end strife for the common folk.

The principles Guan Yu embodied earned him the enduring respect and awe of the Chinese people. Here was a hero who provided a moral compass, who behaved with dignity, loyalty, justice and strength. Not like the western ideal of a superhero!

Today, kung fu and other martial artists around the world often choose to revere Guan Yu not just because he was strong in battle, but also because of his modesty, and because he employed the minimum force necessary to get the job done. He behaved with honour and respect to all: friend and enemy alike.

These are qualities we seek to emulate in our kung fu and tai chi practice and in our every day lives. They signify a pinnacle of inner discipline. And that is why Guan Yu holds a position of respect within Golden Lion.

Contribution by Nicola Nye 2008, Golden Lion Student

Back to Kung Fu History