A Study On The History Of The Apotheosis Process Of Guanyu

In the corridor of Chinese 5,000 years' history and culture, Guanyu has the particular position. As a warrior in the history of Three Kingdoms, Guanyu hasn't left us immortal works and outstanding contributions. However, he becomes apotheosis by his personal glamour of being "faithful", "brave", "benevolent" and "loyal" in thousands of years 'cultural changes. By the end of Chinese feudal society, Guanyu has been ranked as one of the Chinese culture's sages and regarded as " sage among warriors" to be fanatically respected by the people. The whole nation was in a splendid situation—"Guangong temple looks all over the world, five continents have burn incense in any place".In the Apotheosis Process of Guanyu, various social classes including Chinese feudal society's emperors , civilians, various religious sects and schools of thought etc. all made active contributions to it. They worked together to help to bring about the existence of "Guangong Culture" which was of the particular Chinese characteristics.As one part of Chinese traditional culture/'Guangong Culture" itself didn't show its cultural connotation through theoretical form. Instead ,it was such a cultural form that could be transmitted by social belief, folk customs and life habits. Guandi Temple became the important material carrier to spread and develop "Guangong Culture".In Chinese history, Guandi Temples were gradually developed with the popular worship towards Guanyu .It presented different features in different periods.Guandi Temple became indispensable in the process of spreading Guanyu belief, especially in ancient China when there were too many illiterates ,inconvenient transportation and closed information.Guandi Temple initiated religious buildings. Through millions of thousands of years'development, it gradually became a sacrificial altarto hold and spread Guangong Culture and even to place the whole nation's Guangong belief.Just being centered upon Guandi Temple, this paper stresses the analysis and the study on the process and reasons of Guanyu apotheosis. It can be divided into two parts: the first part attaches great important to a narration about the emergence and development of Guandi Temple and an introduction about Guanyu's image in Guandi Temple; the second part focuses on an analysis on the process and internal and external reasons of Guanyu Apotheosis by studying development of Guandi Temple in different eras.Guangong culture is a particular and complex cultural phenomenon. Over 1,000years, with the development of our society, it constantly enriches or updates its connotation. Until now, this cultural phenomenon has not disappeared completely but continuously enhances the new contents.The paper ends by a conclusion that the spirits like"faith" and "loyalty" are the continuity about the Apotheosis Process of Guanyu in the present society. We should properly treat and advocate such characteristic features in Guanyu's image to advance the national construction both in ideological ,cultural and spiritual civilization.