Guan Yu Revered Chinese Warrior
Guan Yu's life was lionised and his achievements glorified to such an extent after his death that he was deified during the Sui dynasty.
Through generations of story telling, culminating in the 14th-century historical novel, 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms, his deeds and moral qualities have been given immense emphasis, making Guan Yu one of East Asia's most popular paradigms of loyalty and righteousness.
He is still worshipped by many Chinese people 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.
His hometown Yuncheng has also named its airport after him.
This is a very unique and rare thangka of Guan Yu. 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".
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:
"Xuande took a look at the man, who stood at a height of nine and had a two long beards; his face was of the colour dark red with lips that were red and plump; his eyes were like those of a crimson phoenix, and his eyebrows resembled reclining silkworms. 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.
In illustrations of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms', Guan Yu is traditionally depicted wearing a green robe over his body armour.
Hand painted on cotton canvas by master thangka artists located in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
Painted colour has been made by crush stone and vegetable pigments with gold detail.
Cotton canvas art allows to be mounted in western-style frame or set in coloured brocade in traditional style (contact us at tibetanemporium@mail.com for further information on brocade setting)
Dimensions (approximate):
70cm x 40cm
Kindly note: Traditional thangka artists do not sign their name on their completed work.
By not doing so, it is a symbol of humility and reluctance to take any merit for the work that they created. Preferably, the artwork is considered as a tribute to the dharma and the deity they create.
Please be aware of the misconception that thangka art is worth more when signed by the artist