Kuan-tii, the venerated Chinese God of war, was worshipped by his people as a conqueror of demons and helper of those in need. He is depicted as scarlet faced, bushy eye browed and heavily bearded.

Before being deified, Kuan-ti was a warrior named Kuan-Yu, commonly known to martial artists as General Kuan. He was considered a noble and brave warrior who fought many battles. His martial endeavours are described in( The story of the Three Kingdoms) a romantic novel set in A.D. 300, when China was being overrun by a rebel group known as the Yellow Turbans.

Kuan-Yu pledged his loyalty to the Emperor. With his sworn brothers, Liu Pei and Ching Fei, he fought courageously for his leader. Kuan-Yu was blessed with two invaluable battle aids. He was the owner of Red Hare, a horse 20 feet tall and incredibly fast. At his side General Kuan had the 'Green Dragon' (also known as the ' Black Dragon' or 'Cold Dragon') a sword-knife weighing over 100 pounds. Only Kuan-Yu was able to wield this great weapon. The 'Green Dragon' served him well in over a 100 battles.

Known today as Kuan-Dau (the knife of General Kuan), the weapon was a single edged knife with a broad heavy blade attached to a long handle. This great broadsword was the prototype of the modern broadsword or sabre. The Kuan-Dau had a hook on the back of the blade, which was used to catch the enemy’s weapon. A tassel placed through the hook was used for distraction.

Another type of long-handled broadsword was known as the Chay Yang also known as the 9 ring Kuan-Dau, this had 9 rings on the back to distract the enemy, and General Yueh Fei developed his name-sake to be used specifically for cutting the legs of horses in battle. This weapon had a shorter handle and a long , narrow blade.


Contributor: Reg Penson      # ar0005