32nd Guan Yu Temple Fair Opens

By Chen Zai, Yichang International Communication Studio

On January 15, the 32nd Guan Yu Temple Fair began at the tomb of Guan Yu, aka Guanling, Yichang City.

 

Guan Yu (? – 210 AD), courtesy name Yunchang, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei (161- 223 AD) during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. During the Three Kingdoms period (220 - 280), he played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of Liu's state of Shu Han. 

 

Guan is one of the key characters in the famous Chinese novel, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.” He has also become an important cultural icon, worshipped in Chinese folk religion. He is one of East Asia's most popular models of loyalty and righteousness.

 

In the year 219, Liu's ally southern warlord Sun Quan (183 – 252) broke the Sun–Liu alliance. Guan was captured in an ambush by Sun's forces and beheaded.

 

After Guan’s death, Sun sent his head to the northern warlord Cao Cao (155 - 220) to divert Liu’s anger and vengeance. Guan’s body was buried at Dangyang, which has since become Guanling, the tomb of Guan Yu.

 

Starting from the 1990s, Dangyang City has held 31 Guan Yu Temple Fairs at Guanling. The fair, usually held for four to five days, includes a ritual worship for Guan Yu, performances of his capture and murder, folk entertainment, vowing and praying by believers, and exchange of private materials (also known as "temple market").

 

Being that it is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the fair promotes the virtues of Guan and preserves folk art and culture. 

 

At 9:30 a.m. on January 15, the Guan Yu Worship Ceremony began. It was carried out according to the ancient etiquette "Tailao" (太牢, which means the highest standard of sacrifice to the gods with cow in ancient times). The ceremony includes procedures such as welcoming the gods, burning incenses, chanting odes praising Guan Yu, dedicating sacrifices, songs, wine, and bidding farewell to the gods.

 

After the ceremony, the temple fair officially opened. Activities include lantern riddles, ring toss games, parades in Hanfu, and dragon and lion dances. The fair attracts many tourists, creating a lively atmosphere.