Xiang Yu Adalah

“读好书,说好话,行好事,做好人” (關公语)

Dú hǎo shū, shuō hǎohuà, xíng hǎoshì, zuò hǎorén – Guān Gōng yǔ

Artinya kira2 : “Membaca buku-buku yang bagus, Berbicara hal yang baik, Melakukan perbuatan yang benar, Jadilah orang yang baik” – kata Kwan Kong.

Baca juga : Kematian Guan Yu (story)

Chinese general (died 220)

"Guanyu" redirects here. For the racing driver, see

Guan Yu ([kwán ỳ] ⓘ; d. January or February 220[a]), courtesy name Yunchang, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. Along with Zhang Fei, he shared a brotherly relationship with Liu Bei and accompanied him on most of his early exploits. Guan Yu played a significant role in the events leading up to the end of the Han dynasty and the establishment of Liu Bei's state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. While he is remembered for his loyalty towards Liu Bei, he is also known for repaying Cao Cao's kindness by slaying Yan Liang, a general under Cao Cao's rival Yuan Shao, at the Battle of Boma. After Liu Bei gained control of Yi Province in 214, Guan Yu remained in Jing Province to govern and defend the area for about seven years. In 219, while he was away fighting Cao Cao's forces at the Battle of Fancheng, Liu Bei's ally Sun Quan broke the Sun–Liu alliance and sent his general Lü Meng to conquer Liu Bei's territories in Jing Province. By the time Guan Yu learned about the loss of Jing Province after his defeat at Fancheng, it was too late. He was subsequently captured in an ambush by Sun Quan's forces and executed at Linju, Xiangyang Commandery (臨沮, present-day Nanzhang County, Xiangyang City, Hubei).

Guan Yu's life was lionised and his achievements were glorified to such an extent after his death that he was deified during the Sui dynasty. Through generations of storytelling, culminating in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, his deeds and moral qualities have been emphasized immensely, making Guan Yu one of East Asia's most popular paradigms of loyalty and righteousness. He is remembered as a culture hero in Chinese culture and is still worshipped by many people of Chinese descent in China, Taiwan, and other countries today. In religious devotion, he is reverentially called the "Emperor Guan" (Guān Dì) or "Lord Guan" (Guān Gōng). He is a deity worshipped in Chinese folk religion, popular Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism, and small shrines to him are almost ubiquitous in traditional Chinese shops and restaurants.

The authoritative historical source on Guan Yu's life is the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi) written by Chen Shou in the third century. During the fifth century, Pei Songzhi annotated the Sanguozhi by incorporating information from other sources to Chen Shou's original work and adding his personal comments. Some alternative texts used in the annotations to Guan Yu's biography include: Shu Ji (Records of Shu), by Wang Yin; Wei Shu (Book of Wei), by Wang Chen, Xun Yi and Ruan Ji; Jiang Biao Zhuan, by Yu Pu; Fu Zi, by Fu Xuan; Dianlue, by Yu Huan; Wu Li (History of Wu), by Hu Chong; and Chronicles of Huayang, by Chang Qu.

No explicit descriptions of Guan Yu's physical appearance exist in historical records. However, the Sanguozhi recorded that Zhuge Liang once referred to Guan Yu as having a "peerless beard".[b]

Traditionally, Guan Yu is portrayed as a red-faced warrior with a long, lush beard. The idea of his red face may have been derived from a description of him in Chapter 1 of the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where the following passage appears:[3]

"Xuande took a look at the man, who stood at a height of nine chi,[c] and had a two chi[d] long beard; his face was of the colour of a dark zao,[e] with lips that were red and plump; his eyes were like those of a crimson phoenix,[f] and his eyebrows resembled reclining silkworms.[g] He had a dignified air and looked quite majestic."

Alternatively, the idea of his red face could have been borrowed from opera representation, where red faces represented loyalty and righteousness.[citation needed] In illustrations of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu is traditionally depicted wearing a green robe over his body armour.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Guan Yu's weapon was a guandao named Green Dragon Crescent Blade, which resembled a glaive and was said to weigh 82 catties (about 49 kg or 108 lbs).[7]

Guarding Jing Province

Between 212 and 214, Liu Bei started a campaign to seize control of Yi Province from the provincial governor Liu Zhang. Most of Liu Bei's subordinates participated in the campaign, while Guan Yu remained behind to guard and oversee Liu Bei's territories in Jing Province.[Sanguozhi 14]

E. Penghormatan Guan Yu Sebagai Dewa Dalam Taoisme dan Buddhisme

Sebagai Dewa, Kwan Kong dipuja oleh umat Taoisme, Konfusianisme, dan Buddhisme, Kaum Taoist memujanya sebagai Dewa pelindung dari malapetaka peperangan. Kaum Konfusianisme menghormati sebagai Dewa Kesusasteraan; sementara kaum Buddhist memujanya sebagai Hu Fa Qie Lan atau Qie Lan Pelindung Dharma.

Menurut kepercayaan kaum Buddist, setelah Kwan Kong meninggal arwahnya muncul di hadapan Biksu Pu Jing, di kuil Yu Quan Si yang terletak di gunung Yu Quan Shan, propinsi Hubei. Biksu Pu Jing disebutkan pernah menolong Kwan Kong yang akan dicelakai seorang panglima Cao Cao, dalam perjalanannya bergabung dengan pasukan Liu Bei.

Setelah itu, karena takut pembalasan Cao Cao, Biksu Pu Jing menyingkir ke gunung Yu Quan Shan, dan mendirikan Kuil Yu Quan Si. Setelah lebih dari 1000 tahun sejak peristiwa itu, Kwan Kong pun dipuja sebagai Boddistsatwa Pelindung Buddha Dharma.

Penghormatan terhadap Kwan Kong sebagai orang kesatria yang teguh terhadap sumpahnya, tidak goyah akan harta kekuasaan dan kedudukan, serta setia terhadap saudara2 angkatnya, menyebabkan ia memperoleh penghormatan yang tinggi oleh Kaisar-Kaisar pada jaman berikutnya.

Kwan Kong memperoleh gelar yang tidak tangung2. Ia disebut ‘Di’ yang berarti (disetarakan) ‘Maha Raja“. Sejak itu, Ia disebut Guan Di atau Guan Di Ye (Hokkian : Koan Te Ya) yang berarti “Paduka Maha Raja Guan”, sebutan gelar Kedewaan yang sejajar dengan Xuan Tian Shang Di.

Baca juga : Kitab Suci Guan Sheng Di Jun (Guan Gong)

Asking Zhuge Liang about Ma Chao

In 214, Ma Chao defected from Zhang Lu's side to Liu Bei's forces, and he assisted Liu Bei in pressuring Liu Zhang to surrender and yield Yi Province to Liu Bei. When Guan Yu received news that Ma Chao (whom he was unfamiliar with) had recently joined them, he wrote to Zhuge Liang in Yi Province and asked him who was comparable to Ma Chao. Zhuge Liang knew that Guan Yu was defending the border (so he should not displease Guan Yu). He replied: "Mengqi is proficient in both civil and military affairs. He is fierce and mighty, and a hero of his time. He is comparable to Qing Bu and Peng Yue. He can compete with Yide, but he is not as good as the peerless beard."[b][Sanguozhi 22]

Guan Yu was very pleased when he received Zhuge Liang's reply and he welcomed Ma Chao.[Sanguozhi 23]

Guan Yu was once injured in the left arm by a stray arrow which pierced through his arm. Although the wound healed, he still experienced pain in the bone whenever there was a heavy downpour. A physician told him, "The arrowhead had poison on it and the poison had seeped into the bone. The way to get rid of this problem is to cut open your arm and scrape away the poison in your bone." Guan Yu then stretched out his arm and asked the physician to heal him. He then invited his subordinates to dine with him while the surgery was being performed. Blood flowed from his arm into a container below. Throughout the operation, Guan Yu feasted, consumed alcohol and chatted with his men as though nothing had happened.[Sanguozhi 24]

Guan Yu had two known sons – Guan Ping and Guan Xing. Guan Xing inherited his father's title "Marquis of Hanshou Village" (漢壽亭侯) and served in the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period.[Sanguozhi 25] Guan Yu also had a daughter. Sun Quan once proposed a marriage between his son and Guan Yu's daughter, but Guan Yu rejected the proposal. Her name was not recorded in history, but she was known as "Guan Yinping" (關銀屏) or "Guan Feng" (關鳳) in folktales and Chinese opera, as well as in the Dynasty Warriors video game series (as Guan Yinping). Guan Yu allegedly had a third son, Guan Suo, who is not mentioned in historical texts and appears only in folklore, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms novel, and in Dynasty Warriors.

Guan Xing's son, Guan Tong (關統), married a princess (one of Liu Shan's daughters) and served as a General of the Household (中郎將) among the imperial guards. Guan Tong had no son when he died, so he was succeeded by his younger half-brother Guan Yi (關彝).[Sanguozhi 26]

According to the Shu Ji, after the fall of Shu in 263, Pang Hui (Pang De's son) massacred Guan Yu's family and descendants to avenge his father, who was executed by Guan Yu after the Battle of Fancheng in 219.[Sanguozhi zhu 16]

In 1719, the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty awarded the hereditary title "Wujing Boshi" (五經博士; "Professor of the Five Classics") to Guan Yu's descendants living in Luoyang. The bearer of the title is entitled to an honorary position in the Hanlin Academy.

Chen Shou, who wrote Guan Yu's biography in the Sanguozhi, commented on the latter as such: "Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were praised as mighty warriors capable of fighting ten thousand of enemies (萬人敵). They were like tigers among (Liu Bei's) subjects. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei both had the style of a guoshi.[k] Guan Yu repaid Cao Cao's kindness while Zhang Fei released Yan Yan out of righteousness. However, Guan Yu was unrelenting and conceited while Zhang Fei was brutal and heartless. These shortcomings resulted in their downfalls. This was not something uncommon."[Sanguozhi 27]

Guan Yu was deified as early as the Sui dynasty (581–618), and is still worshipped today as a bodhisattva in Buddhist tradition and as a guardian deity in Chinese folk religion and Taoism. He is also held in high esteem in Confucianism and in new religious movements such as Yiguandao.

In Chinese folk religion, Guan Yu is widely referred to as "Emperor Guan" (關帝; Guāndì; dì implies deified status) and "Lord Guan" (關公; Guān Gōng), while his Taoist title is "Holy Emperor Lord Guan" (關聖帝君; Guān Shèng Dì Jūn). Martial temples and shrines dedicated exclusively to Guan Yu can be found across mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and other places with Chinese influence such as Vietnam, South Korea and Japan. Some of these temples, such as the Guandi Temple in Xiezhou (解州), Shanxi, were built exactly in the layout of an imperial residence, befitting his status as a "ruler". Other examples of Guan Yu temples in China include the Guandi Temple of Jinan and the Guanlin Temple of Luoyang.[16]

The apotheosis of Guan Yu occurred in stages, as he was given ever higher posthumous titles. Liu Shan, the second emperor of Shu, gave Guan Yu the posthumous title of "Marquis Zhuangmou" (壯繆侯) four decades after his death. During the Song dynasty, Emperor Huizong bestowed upon Guan Yu the title "Duke Zhonghui" (忠惠公), and later the title of a prince. In 1187, Emperor Xiaozong honoured Guan Yu as "Prince Zhuangmou Yiyong Wu'an Yingji" (壯繆義勇武安英濟王). During the Yuan dynasty, Emperor Wenzong changed Guan Yu's title to "Prince of Xianling Yiyong Wu'an Yingji" (顯靈義勇武安英濟王).

In 1614, the Wanli Emperor bestowed on Guan Yu the title "Holy Emperor Guan, the Great God Who Subdues Demons in the Three Worlds and Whose Awe Spreads Far and Moves Heaven" (三界伏魔大神威遠震天尊關聖帝君). During the Qing dynasty, the Shunzhi Emperor gave Guan Yu the title of "Guan, the Loyal and Righteous God of War, the Holy Great Emperor" (忠義神武關聖大帝) in 1644. This title was expanded to "Guan the Holy Great Emperor; God of War Manifesting Benevolence, Bravery and Prestige; Protector of the Country and Defender of the People; Proud and Honest Supporter of Peace and Reconciliation; Promoter of Morality, Loyalty and Righteousness" (仁勇威顯護國保民精誠綏靖翊贊宣德忠義神武關聖大帝), a total of 24 Chinese characters, by the mid-19th century. It is often shortened to "Saint of War" (武聖; Wǔ Shèng), which is of the same rank as Confucius, who is honoured the "Saint of Culture" (文聖; Wén Shèng). The Qing dynasty promoted the worship of Guan Yu among the Mongol tribes, making him one of their most revered religious figures, second only to their lamas.

Throughout history, Guan Yu has also been credited with many military successes. In the 14th century, his spirit was said to have aided Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming dynasty, at the Battle of Lake Poyang. In 1402, when Zhu Di launched a coup d'état and successfully deposed his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor, Zhu Di claimed that he was blessed by the spirit of Guan Yu. During the last decade of the 16th century, Guan Yu was also credited with the repulse of Japanese invasion of Korea by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The Manchu imperial clan of the Qing dynasty was also associated with Guan Yu's martial qualities. During the 20th century, Guan Yu was worshipped by the warlord Yuan Shikai, president and later a short-lived emperor of China.

Guan Yu's messages were received by mediums through spirit writing, later called Fuji (planchette writing) (扶乩/扶箕), since the late 17th century. "By the mid-Qianlong period (1736–96) the number of 'sacred edicts' issued by Guandi ordering people to do good and help those in need became increasingly frequent." In the 19th century, Guandi's messages received through spirit writing assumed a millennialist character. Dates were announced for the end of the world, followed by messages indicating that Guandi had "prevented the apocalypse" and was indeed "the savior of endtimes." In 1866, the Ten Completions Society (Shiquanhui 十全會) was established to propagate the messages of Guandi and promote the charitable work his spirit had ordered to perform. The tradition of Guandi spirit writing continued in Chinese folk Religion well into the 20th century.[18]

Today, Guan Yu is still widely worshipped by the Chinese; he may be worshipped in Martial temples and Wen Wu temples, and small shrines devoted to him are also found in homes, businesses and fraternal organisations. In Hong Kong, a shrine to Guan Yu can be found in every police station. Though by no means mandatory, Chinese police officers worship and pay respect to him. Although seemingly ironic, members of the triads and Heaven and Earth Society worship Guan Yu as well. Statues used by triads tend to hold the halberd in the left hand, and statues in police stations tend to hold the halberd in the right hand. This signifies which side Guan Yu is worshipped, by the righteous people or vice versa. The appearance of Guan Yu's face for the triads is usually more stern and threatening than the usual statue. In Hong Kong, Guan Yu is often referred to as "Yi Gor" (二哥; Cantonese for "second elder brother") for he was second to Liu Bei in their fictional sworn brotherhood. Guan Yu is also worshipped by Chinese businessmen in Shanxi, Hong Kong, Macau and Southeast Asia as an alternative wealth god, since he is perceived to bless the upright and protect them from the wicked. Another reason is related to the release of Cao Cao during the Huarong Trail incident, in which he let Cao and his men pass through safely. For that, he was perceived to be able to extend the lifespan of people in need. Among Chinese Filipinos in the Philippines, Guan Yu is also sometimes known as "Santo Santiago" (St. James) or in Hokkien as "Te Ya Kong" (Hokkien Chinese: 帝爺公; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tè-iâ-kong) or "Kuan Kong" (Hokkien Chinese: 關公; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Koan-kong).[19]

Among the Cantonese people who emigrated to California during the mid-19th century, the worship of Guan Yu was an important element. Statues and tapestry images of the god can be found in a number of historical California joss houses (a local term for Chinese folk religion temples), where his name may be given with various Anglicised spellings, including: Kwan Dai, Kwan Tai or Kuan Ti for Guandi (Emperor Guan); Kuan Kung for Guan Gong (Lord Guan), Wu Ti or Mo Dai for Wu Di (War Deity), Kuan Yu, Kwan Yu, or Quan Yu for Guan Yu. The Mendocino Joss House, a historical landmark also known as Mo Dai Miu (Wudimiao, i.e. the Temple of the Deity of War), or Temple of Kwan Tai, built in 1852, is a typical example of the small shrines erected to Guan Yu in the United States.

Guan Yu is also worshipped as a door god in Chinese and Taoist temples, with portraits of him being pasted on doors to ward off evil spirits, usually in pairings with Zhang Fei, Guan Ping, Guan Sheng or Zhou Cang.

Apart from general worship, Guan Yu is also commemorated in China with colossal statues such as the 1,320-tonne sculpture in Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, standing at 58 metres.[20]

Guan Yu is revered as "Holy Ruler Deity Guan" (關聖帝君; Guān Shèng Dì Jūn) and a leading subduer of demons in Taoism. Taoist worship of Guan Yu began during the Song dynasty. Legend has it that during the second decade of the 12th century, the saltwater lake in Xiezhou gradually ceased to yield salt. Emperor Huizong then summoned Zhang Jixian (張繼先), a 30th-generation descendant of Zhang Daoling, to investigate the cause. The emperor was told that the disruption was the work of Chi You, a deity of war. Zhang Jixian then recruited the help of Guan Yu, who battled Chi You over the lake and triumphed, whereupon the lake resumed salt production. Emperor Huizong then bestowed upon Guan Yu the title "Immortal of Chongning" (崇寧真君; Chóngníng Zhēnjūn), formally introducing the latter as a deity into Taoism.[citation needed]

In the early Ming dynasty, the 42nd Celestial Master, Zhang Zhengchang (張正常), recorded the incident in his book Lineage of the Han Celestial Masters (漢天師世家), the first Taoist classic to affirm the legend. Today, Taoist practices are predominant in Guan Yu worship. Many temples dedicated to Guan Yu, including the Emperor Guan Temple in Xiezhou County, show heavy Taoist influence. Every year, on the 24th day of the sixth month on the lunar calendar (Guan Yu's birthday in legend), a street parade in Guan Yu's honour would also be held.[citation needed]

In Chinese Buddhism, Guan Yu is revered by most Chinese Mahayana Buddhists as Sangharama Bodhisattva (伽蓝菩萨; 伽藍菩薩; Qiélán Púsà) a heavenly protector of the Buddhist dharma. Sangharama in Sanskrit means 'community garden' (sangha, community + arama, garden) and thus 'monastery'. The term Sangharama also refer to the dharmapala class of devas and spirits assigned to guard the Buddhist monastery, the dharma, and the faith itself. Over time and as an act of syncreticism, Guan Yu was seen as the representative guardian of the temple and the garden in which it stands. His statue traditionally is situated in the far left of the main altar, opposite his counterpart Skanda.[citation needed]

According to Buddhist legends, in 592, Guan Yu manifested himself one night before the Chan master Zhiyi, the founder of the Tiantai school of Buddhism, along with a retinue of spiritual beings. Zhiyi was then in deep meditation on Jade Spring Hill (玉泉山) when he was distracted by Guan Yu's presence. Guan Yu then requested the master to teach him about the dharma. After receiving Buddhist teachings from the master, Guan Yu took refuge in the triple gems and also requested the Five Precepts. Henceforth, it is said that Guan Yu made a vow to become a guardian of temples and the dharma. Legends also claim that Guan Yu assisted Zhiyi in the construction of the Yuquan Temple, which still stands today.[citation needed]

Dubious account from the Dianlue

The Dianlue recorded:

When Guan Yu was besieging Fancheng, Sun Quan sent a messenger to Guan Yu to offer aid while secretly instructing the messenger to take his time to travel there. He then sent a registrar ahead to meet Guan Yu first. Guan Yu was unhappy that Sun Quan's offer came late because he had already captured Yu Jin by then. He scolded the messenger, "You raccoon dogs dare to behave like this! If I can conquer Fancheng, what makes you think I can't destroy you?" Although Sun Quan felt insulted by Guan Yu's response, he still wrote a letter to Guan Yu and pretended to apologise and offer to allow Guan Yu to pass through his territory freely.[Sanguozhi zhu 7]

Pei Songzhi commented on the Dianlue account as follows:

Although Liu Bei and Sun Quan appeared to get along harmoniously, they were actually distrustful of each other. When Sun Quan later attacked Guan Yu, he dispatched his forces secretly, as mentioned in Lü Meng's biography: '[...] elite soldiers hid in vessels disguised as civilian and merchant ships.' Based on this reasoning, even if Guan Yu did not seek help from Sun Quan, the latter would not mention anything about granting Guan Yu free passage in his territory. If they genuinely wished to help each other, why would they conceal their movements from each other?[Sanguozhi zhu 8]

By the time Guan Yu retreated from Fancheng, Sun Quan's forces had occupied Jiangling and captured the families of Guan Yu's soldiers. Lü Meng ordered his troops to treat the civilians well and ensure that they were not harmed.[j] Most of Guan Yu's soldiers lost their fighting spirit and deserted and went back to Jing Province to reunite with their families. Guan Yu knew that he had been isolated so he withdrew to Maicheng (麥城; in present-day Dangyang, Hubei) and headed west to Zhang District (漳鄉), where his remaining men deserted him and surrendered to the enemy. Sun Quan sent Zhu Ran and Pan Zhang to block Guan Yu's retreat route. Guan Yu, along with his son Guan Ping and subordinate Zhao Lei (趙累), were captured alive by Pan Zhang's deputy Ma Zhong (馬忠) in an ambush. Guan Yu and Guan Ping were later executed by Sun Quan's forces in Linju (臨沮; in present-day Nanzhang County, Hubei).[Sanguozhi 19][Sanguozhi others 17][Sanguozhi others 18]

Sun-Liu territorial dispute

During the mid 210s, a territorial dispute broke out between Liu Bei and Sun Quan in southern Jing Province. According to an earlier arrangement, Liu Bei "borrowed" southern Jing Province from Sun Quan to serve as a temporary base; he would have to return the territories to Sun Quan once he found another base. After Liu Bei seized control of Yi Province, Sun Quan asked him to return three commanderies but Liu Bei refused. Sun Quan then sent his general Lü Meng to lead his forces to seize the three commanderies. In response, Liu Bei ordered Guan Yu to lead troops to stop Lü Meng.[Sanguozhi others 12] Gan Ning, one of Lü Meng's subordinates, managed to deter Guan Yu from crossing the shallows near Yiyang. The shallows were thus named 'Guan Yu's Shallows' (關羽瀨).[Sanguozhi others 13] Lu Su (the overall commander of Sun Quan's forces in Jing Province) later invited Guan Yu to attend a meeting to settle the territorial dispute. Around 215, after Cao Cao seized control of Hanzhong Commandery, Liu Bei saw that as a strategic threat to his position in Yi Province so he decided to make peace with Sun Quan and agreed to divide southern Jing Province between his and Sun Quan's domains along the Xiang River. Both sides then withdrew their forces.[Sanguozhi others 14]

In 219, Liu Bei emerged victorious in the Hanzhong Campaign against Cao Cao, after which he declared himself "King of Hanzhong" (漢中王). He appointed Guan Yu as General of the Vanguard (前將軍) and bestowed upon him a ceremonial axe. In the same year, Guan Yu led his forces to attack Cao Ren at Fancheng and besiege the fortress. Cao Cao sent Yu Jin to lead reinforcements to help Cao Ren. It was in autumn and there were heavy showers so the Han River overflowed. The flood destroyed Yu Jin's seven armies. Guan Yu had prepared his navy to advance during the flood, and Yu Jin surrendered to Guan Yu while his subordinate Pang De refused and was executed by Guan Yu. Various local officials such as Administrator of Nanxiang Fu Fang and Inspector Jing Province Hu Xiu defected to Guan Yu. Angered by Cao Cao's forced labor put upon them, rebel peasants and bandits in Liang(梁), Jia(郟) and Luhun(陸渾) also submitted to Guan Yu and received official seals to work as his raiders. Guan Yu's fame spread throughout China.[Sanguozhi 15][11]

The Shu Ji recorded that before Guan Yu embarked on the Fancheng campaign, he dreamt about a boar biting his foot. He told his son Guan Ping, "I am growing weaker this year. I might not even return alive."[Sanguozhi zhu 5]

With Liu Bei gaining Hanzhong as well as the northwest commanderies of Jing: Fangling, Shangyong and Xicheng; and now after Yu Jin's defeat, Cao Cao contemplated relocating the imperial capital from Xu further north into Hebei to avoid Guan Yu, but Sima Yi and Jiang Ji told him that Sun Quan would become restless when he heard of Guan Yu's victory. They suggested to Cao Cao to ally with Sun Quan and get him to help them hinder Guan Yu's advances; in return, Cao Cao would recognise the legitimacy of Sun Quan's claim over the territories in Jiangdong. In this way, the siege on Fancheng would automatically be lifted. Cao Cao heeded their suggestion. Previously, Sun Quan had sent a messenger to meet Guan Yu and propose a marriage between his son and Guan Yu's daughter. However, Guan Yu not only rejected the proposal, but also scolded and humiliated the messenger. Sun Quan was enraged.[Sanguozhi 16]

B. Kisah Sumpah Setia 3 Bersaudara di Kebun Buah Persik

Dalam babak pertama dalam novel, diceritakan bagaimana Guan Yu dalam pengembaraannya berjumpa dengan Liu Bei (刘备) dan Zhang Fei (张飞) disebuah kedai arak. Dalam pembicaraan mereka ternyata cocok dan sehati, sehingga memutuskan untuk mengangkat saudara satu sama lain.

Upacara pengangkatan saudara ini, dilaksanakan di rumah Zhang Fei, dalam sebuah kebun buah Tao atau kebun persik. Liu Bei pun menjadi saudara tertua, Guan Yu yang kedua, dan Zhang Fei yang ketiga.

Bersama2 mereka bersumpah sehidup semati dan berjuang untuk membela Negara. Peristiwa ini terkenal dengan nama Tao Yuan Jie Yi (桃园结义), atau ‘Sumpah Persaudaraan Di kebun Persik‘; yang sangat dikagumi oleh orang dari jaman ke jaman, dan dianggap sebagai contoh/lambang persaudaraan sejati!

Lukisan 3 bersaudara yang sedang melaksanakan upacara sumpah angkat saudara ini banyak menjadi objek lukisan, pahatan, dan patung keramik yang sangat disukai orang2 hingga sekarang ini.

Ada banyak cerita tentang Guan Yu yang senantiasa asyik dibicarakan orang Tionghoa, salah sautnya seperti kisah Guan Yu yang hanya berbekal sebilah golok, tanpa bala pasukan, datang memenuhi undangan pesta musuh, karena Negara Shu tidak mau mengembalikan Kota Jingzhou.

Negara Dong Wu (Sun) menyiasati dengan menggelar pesta untuk mengundangnya, lalu berencana menghabisi Guan Yu disana. Guan Yu datang menghadiri pesta itu dengan sebuah perahu kecil beserta puluhan pengikutnya.

Ketika tiba, Ia memandang para menteri dan jenderal Negeri Dong Wu bagai anak kecil, dan dengan kharisma luar biasa, Ia berhasil kembali ke markas dengan selamat.

Baca juga : Lima Jenderal Harimau (Five Tiger Generals)

F. Penggambaran dan Visualisasi

Guan Gong umumnya divisualisasikan dengan berpakaian perang lengkap, kadang2 sambil membaca buku, bersama putra angkatnya Guan Ping (關平) yang memegang cap kebesaran, dan Zhou Chang (周仓) pengawalnya yang setia, bertampang hitam brewokan, memegang golok Guandao yang bernama “Naga Hijau Mengejar Rembulan” (靑龍偃月刀; Qing long yanyuedao), senjata andalan-Nya.

Menurut Bab 1 dari Romance of the Three Kingdoms, golok tersebut memiliki berat 82 kati. Selama periode Dinasti Han Timur (25 SM – 220 M) dan Tiga Kerajaan (220 – 280), 1 kati adalah sekitar 220 gram, jadi 82 kati sekitar 18 kilogram.

Dalam pemujaan dikalangan Buddhis, Guan Gong dipuja sendirian tanpa penggiring. Sering juga ditampilkan sebagai Qie Lan Pu Sa (伽蓝菩萨) atau Boddhisatwa Pelindung, bersama Wei Tuo Pu Sa.

Patung2 (arca) Guan Gong umumnya divisualisasikan sebagai seorang yang berusia kebapakan, berjenggot panjang, berwajah coklat gelap, dan bibir merah tua. “Beliau memiliki mata seperti phoenix, dan memiliki alis lebat seperti ulat sutra.p

Hari kebesaran-Nya (hari kelahiran/sejid) diperingati setiap tanggal 24 bulan 6 imlek, sementara tanggal 13 bulan 1 imlek sebagai hari kenaikan-Nya (menjadi Dewa).

Sementara Guan Ping (memperoleh gelar Ling Hou Thi Zi), diperingati setiap tanggal 13 bulan 5 imlek, dan Zhou Chang (Jenderal Zhou), diperingati setiap tanggal 20 bulan 10 imlek.

Seiring dengan mengalirnya para imigran Tionghoa keluar Tiongkok, pemujaan Guan Gong tersebar ke berbagai Negara yang menjadi tempat tinggal para perantau tersebut.

Seperti di Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapura dan Indonesia, banyak sekali kelenteng yang memuja Dewa Guan Gong. Di Indonesia, kelenteng terbesar yang khusus memuja Kwan Kong dengan wilayah seluas 4 Hektar adalah kelenteng Kwan Sin Bio (Guan Sheng Miao) di Tuban, Jawa Timur.

Di klenteng2 Kuan Kong, biasanya ikut dipuja juga seorang tukang kuda, yang dipanggil Ma She Ye atau Tuan Ma. Ia bertugas merawat kuda tunggangan Kwan Kong yang disebut Chi Tu Ma (Kelinci Merah; Red Rabbit), yang konon dalam sehari bisa menempuh jarak 500 km tanpa merasa lelah.

Karakter dan sifat mulia yang tercermin dari sosok Beliau, bisa menjadi teladan bagi kita semua :

1. Wajib sepenuhnya menghargai Kesetiaan, Berbakti dan Keadilan. 2. Lambang Kehormatan, Loyalitas, Integritas, Keadilan, Keberanian, dan Kekuatan. 3. Patriotis sejati.

4. Menjaga norma susila. 5. Tidak tergiur akan kesenangan/kenikmatan. 6. Tidak silau akan nama dan harta. 7. Mengutamakan kepentingan masyarakat dari pada diri sendiri.

Guan Yu bukan saja telah menjadi sosok yang identik dengan Dewa Besar agama TAO, tetapi Beliau juga adalah penyatu kultur masyarakat Tiongkok di manapun berada, dan menjadi sebuah lambang Kesetiaan, Kejujuran, dan Pengabdian!

C. Kisah Guan Yu Yang Terluka dan Diobati Tabib Hua Tuo

Kisah lainnya tentang perawatan luka dengan menyekrap tulang. Tatkala itu, ia berperang melawan pasukan Negara Wei (Ca0 Cao), Guan Yu terluka oleh panah beracun. Tabib Hua Tuo (華佗) menyembuhkan luka beracun tersebut dengan cara menyekrap tulang.

Hua Tuo pun menggunakan pisau untuk menyekrap racun yang sudah merasuk ke tulang, hingga mengeluarkan bunyi. Guan Yu tidak bergeming, dan terus makan dan minum sambil bermain catur dengan muka senyum; sama sekali tidak tersirat wajah yang menahan sakit.

Tabib sakti Hua Tuo memuji Beliau dengan berkata : “Jenderal benar2 seorang Dewa yang datang dari langit.”

Baca juga : Tabib Hua Tuo; Dewa Pengobatan