Guan Yu (died 220),^[1][2] courtesy name Yunchang, was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei in the late Eastern Han dynasty. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han – founded by Liu Bei – in the Three Kingdoms period.^[3]




As one of the best known Chinese historical figures throughout East
Asia, Guan's true life stories have largely given way to fictionalised
ones, most of which are found in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
or passed down the generations, in which his deeds and moral qualities
have been lionised. Guan is respected as an epitome of loyalty and
righteousness.



Guan Yu was deified as early as the Sui dynasty
and is still worshipped by many Chinese people today, especially in
southern China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among many overseas Chinese
communities. He is a figure in Chinese folk religion, popular Confucianism, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism, and small shrines to Guan are almost ubiquitous in traditional Chinese shops and restaurants. He is often reverently called Guan Gong (Lord Guan) and Guan Di (Emperor Guan).^[4] His hometown Yuncheng has also named its airport after him.