Guanwang Temple

Guanwang Temple is located in Gaochun Old Street, Gaochun District, Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province. It was first built in the fourth year of the Hongzhi period of the Ming Dynasty (1491). It is the only existing temple in the Jiangnan region dedicated to the famous general Guan Yu of the Three Kingdoms. Guanwang Temple faces south with its back to the north. The architecture is magnificent and the layout is meticulous. Upon entering the mountain gate, there is a Nine-Dragon Screen, and in the backyard, there are bell and drum pavilions on the left and right. The front hall is the 'Worship Hall,' which enshrines the martial statue of Guan Yu before he was conferred as an emperor. The rear hall is the 'Spring and Autumn Pavilion,' which houses the deity statue of Guan Wang after his deification. Guanwang Temple has two couplets: 'Born in Jiezhou, assisting Yuzhou, protecting Jingzhou, standing firm in the southwest, the country under control in his palm; serving Xuande, befriending Yide, avenging Mengde, shaking the whole of China, the traitors of Han are clear in his eyes.' 'With a red face and a loyal heart, riding the Red Hare chasing the moon, guarding Guanzhong without forgetting the Red Emperor; with a green turban facing the green history, wielding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, in hidden places without shame to the blue sky.' These couplets summarize Guan Yu's life and are famous verses in Guan Temples. Guan Yu's excellent qualities and moral character of loyalty, righteousness, and bravery are admired and praised by people, and he is enshrined as a deity. Thus, Guanwang Temple came into being.