10/03/2026
The Spirit of Guan Yu, Loyal and Righteous for a Thousand Years, Illuminates the Path to a Better World â¨đ
The culture of Guan Yu's loyalty and righteousness is a shining gem in traditional Chinese culture. Having withstood the test of time and the trials of a thousand years, it has long transcended mere historical figure worship, evolving into a spiritual totem that unites national spirit, regulates behavior, and nurtures moral character. Deeply engraved in the cultural bloodline of the Chinese nation, it has become a spiritual gene passed down through generations. In today's era of surging progress and increasingly diverse values, the concept of "Loyalty and Righteousness Illuminating a Better Future," established by Guan Yu, firmly anchors the core of this culture while deeply resonating with the pulse of contemporary society. It represents the most fitting, valuable, and heartwarming contemporary inheritance of Guan Yu's spirit of loyalty and righteousness, allowing this thousand-year-old spirit to flourish and shine brightly in the new era.
The core of Guan Yu's culture of loyalty and righteousness lies in the dialectical coexistence and mutual reinforcement of "loyalty" and "righteousness." It is a spiritual code etched into the bones of the Chinese people, a spiritual belief that remains fervent even after a thousand years. "Loyalty" is never blind obedience or blind faith, but rather unwavering commitment to one's beliefs, courage to shoulder responsibilities, and fervent patriotism. It is the sincere dedication of "I would lay down my life for the country, regardless of personal gain or loss," and the steadfast commitment to stand up in times of crisis and remain true to one's original aspirations. "Righteousness" is also not narrow-minded and selfish chivalry, but rather sincere treatment of others, unwavering integrity in dealing with matters, enthusiasm for helping those in distress, and principled adherence to moral boundaries. It is the magnanimity of "a gentleman understands righteousness," and the life principles of valuing relationships, keeping promises, and having a heart full of love. For thousands of years, Guan Yu's sincere sworn brotherhood in the Peach Garden, his unwavering commitment in "passing five passes and slaying six generals," his courageous slaying of Hua Xiong while the wine was still warm, and his indomitable spirit in "retreating to Maicheng" have transcended the dust of history, deeply admired by the world, passed down through generations, and enduring through time. This reverence, spanning millennia, is essentially the purest and most fervent spiritual pursuit of "loyalty and righteousness." This pursuit transcends time and space, becoming ingrained in our very being, a shared spiritual gene engraved in the bones and flowing in the blood of the Chinese nation, and a spiritual force that sustains us through vicissitudes and hardships.
In contemporary society, we do not need to replicate the rigid forms of ancient loyalty and righteousness, but more than ever, we urgently need the nourishment and empowerment of this spirit. The wellspring of this spirit lies precisely in the core essence of Guan Yu's culture of loyalty and righteousness: loyalty as responsibility, righteousness as perseverance. More importantly, loyalty and righteousness are never abstract symbols suspended in the air, nor are they historical texts confined to ivory towers; rather, they are a spiritual force that illuminates hope and fills people with expectations of good fortune. This expectation stems not only from the stability and confidence brought by practicing loyalty and righteousness, but also from the Guan Yu folk beliefs that have been passed down for millennia and permeate the lives of ordinary people. Revering Guan Yu and carrying on the tradition of loyalty and righteousness is essentially lighting a beacon for our own path, establishing unwavering confidence in the future, nurturing boundless aspirations for a better life, and cultivating sincere hopes for good fortune.
For 1800 years, from ordinary homes in bustling streets to solemn temples, people have worshipped, learned from, and revered Guan Yu. This reverence goes beyond simply admiring his noble character of integrity and unwavering loyalty; it is through devout rituals of prayer and protection that they absorb his righteous spirit and positive energy, allowing this strength to permeate their blood, be etched into their bones, and empower themselves, becoming righteous, sun-facing, and life-affirming pursuers of light. For thousands of years, Guan Yu has transcended the realm of a historical figure, becoming a spiritual symbol of "loyalty and righteousness, and protection of peace" in folk beliefs. The folk belief in Guan Yu has always been closely linked to people's pursuit of a better future: the worship of Guan Yu and the offering of his image express the hope for peace and prosperity for the family; the prayers for blessings and good fortune during traditional festivals are prayers for national and family well-being, career prosperity, family harmony, and lasting good fortune. This is the most vivid and lively continuation of Guan Yu's culture of loyalty and righteousness at the folk level, allowing the spirit of loyalty and righteousness to step out of the classics, into everyday life, and into people's hearts, nourishing everyone's fervent yearning for a better future in the simplest and most relatable way. And this is precisely the most moving and powerful force of loyalty and righteousnessâit ignites the flame of hope for a better future in everyone's heart, empowering us to bravely face every challenge and every journey of the future with full enthusiasm and confidence. Ultimately, loyalty and righteousness illuminating our bright future is the most genuine, powerful, and moving contemporary inheritance of Guan Yu's culture of loyalty and righteousness.
At the national level, "loyalty" represents the sincere love and selfless dedication of citizens in the new era to their country and family; it represents the unwavering commitment of scientific and technological workers to delve into laboratories, overcome difficulties, and win glory for the nation; and it represents the sense of responsibility of grassroots cadres who are rooted in the front lines, work diligently, and serve the people. This is in line with, passed down from generation to generation, and endlessly enriched by Guan Yu's spirit of loyalty and courage in "sincere devotion to the country and family and steadfast adherence to beliefs." The 192,000 village-based first secretaries across the country, such as Luo Lingfeng in Mengqiao Village, Sichuan, have humbled themselves, rolled up their trousers, rooted themselves in the fields, and deeply cultivated the local land. They have attracted outstanding talents, cultivated industries that enrich the people, and transformed barren wasteland into fertile fields; they have turned the people's "worries" and "anxiety" into "joyful things" and "happy things." With his unwavering dedication to his hometown, he embodies loyalty to the people; with his down-to-earth hard work, he writes a new chapter of loyalty and righteousness in the modern era. This is the most vivid and contemporary continuation and interpretation of Guan Yu's spirit of "loyalty to the people and righteousness to one's heart." This loyalty not only provides a solid foundation for national development but also illuminates the path to prosperity and happiness for his fellow villagers, allowing everyone to look forward to a better life, strive for it, and live up to their aspirations.
At the societal level, "righteousness" represents the warmth of sincere treatment between people, the bottom line of keeping promises, the responsibility of enterprises to uphold their original aspirations, operate with integrity, and give back to society, and the kindness and courage of ordinary people to step forward and help each other in times of difficulty. This is the most vivid and profound contemporary interpretation of Guan Yu's philosophy of "treating people with sincerity, helping those in distress, and upholding the bottom line." Shandong Dongming Petrochemical has always adhered to the bottom line of honest operation. Even when facing numerous operational pressures, it has always upheld its responsibility and mission of energy supply, paying over 20 billion yuan in taxes annually. It has also actively participated in public welfare, poverty alleviation, and epidemic prevention and control, interpreting the "righteousness" of the new era and conveying the power of loyalty and righteousness through its corporate responsibility and perseverance. Li Songlin, a young man from Zibo, influenced by his family tradition and inheriting the gene of loyalty and righteousness, disregarded his personal safety in a critical moment and jumped into the icy river to rescue a drowning person. After the rescue, he left quietly without leaving his name. His heroic act conveyed great love and demonstrated the chivalrous nature of contemporary people, perfectly replicating the timeless style and pure heart of Guan Yu, who "stepped forward to help those in need." These vivid examples are not distant legends, but real stories happening around us; together with the Guan Gong folk beliefs that have been passed down for thousands of years, they all powerfully testify to this point: "Loyalty and righteousness illuminate a bright future." This is precisely because the core spirit of Guan Gong's loyalty and righteousness culture is deeply integrated with contemporary life and folk traditions, resonating in unison. It not only instills hope and aspirations for good fortune in people, but also transforms loyalty and righteousness from distant historical symbols into action guidelines integrated into daily life. It represents the most vibrant, profound, and infectious contemporary inheritance of Guan Gong's loyalty and righteousness culture.
Inheriting Guan Gong's loyalty and righteousness culture is not simply about retrogressive nostalgia, nor is it merely a formalistic worship ceremony. Rather, it requires deeply exploring its enduring and ever-renewing contemporary value, allowing the spirit of loyalty and righteousness to truly take root in, serve, and nourish the present era, and enabling this thousand-year-old cultural heritage to be reborn in the new era. It is worth mentioning that Guan Gong is revered as the God of War and Wealth, a deeply ingrained folk belief that serves as the most vivid and simple evidence of "Loyalty and righteousness illuminate a bright future." The two are inextricably linked, deeply bound, and inseparable. The worship of Guan Yu, the God of War and Wealth, is not merely a prayer for wealth or a desire for sudden riches. At its core, it is a veneration of his virtues of loyalty, righteousness, and integrity. Guan Yu upheld morality, honesty, trustworthiness, and selflessness throughout his lifeâqualities considered fundamental to success, prosperity, and good fortune. People firmly believe that only by practicing loyalty and righteousness, upholding integrity, treating others with sincerity, and acting with justice can one achieve success, a prosperous life, and lasting blessings. This is the most down-to-earth and deeply rooted folk expression of "Loyalty and Righteousness Illuminate a Bright Future," and the most basic understanding and commitment of ordinary people to the connection between loyalty and a bright future.
The concept of "Loyalty and Righteousness Illuminate a Bright Future" accurately captures the core essence of Guan Yu's culture of loyalty and righteousness. It boldly discards the narrow limitations imposed on loyalty and righteousness by the feudal era, infusing it with vibrant new-era connotationsâloyalty to one's heart's desire and righteousness in one's actions, making loyalty and righteousness the moral cornerstone of personal growth, the spiritual bond of social harmony, and the driving force of national development. This inheritance reflects reverence and respect for historical culture, a precise alignment with the needs of the times, and a perfect fusion of tradition and modernity. It allows the millennia-old culture of Guan Yu's loyalty and righteousness to radiate new vitality and shine with new brilliance in contemporary times, becoming a spiritual force that nourishes our progress.
Looking back at history, the spirit of loyalty and righteousness shines like an inextinguishable lamp, piercing through a thousand years of wind and rain, illuminating the path forward, and supporting the Chinese nation's enduring vitality and continuous transmission through trials and tribulations. The folk beliefs surrounding Guan Yu are like a warm current, flowing through the lives of ordinary people, permeating the depths of their hearts, always carrying people's sincere aspirations for a better future and happiness, allowing the spirit of loyalty and righteousness to take root in the people, permeate their lives, become part of their blood, and be passed down from generation to generation. Guan Yu's veneration as the God of War and Wealth is the most vivid and important manifestation of this folk belief, further profoundly confirming the intrinsic connection between loyalty and righteousness and a bright future: wealth and good fortune never come from nowhere or are simply acquired by chance, but are natural gifts of loyalty and righteousness, and inevitable rewards for upholding morality. Only by practicing loyalty and righteousness, upholding integrity, and holding a righteous heart can one build a solid foundation for happiness, move towards a bright future, and reap abundant blessings.
Looking to the future, the spirit of loyalty and righteousness remains an inexhaustible source of strength for us to overcome confusion and forge ahead with courage. It is the spiritual foundation that nourishes our souls, helps us achieve self-realization, and empowers our nation. This strength is the most precious spiritual gift bestowed upon us by the culture of loyalty and righteousness of Guan Yuâit allows us to continuously strengthen our unwavering confidence in the future, nurture our boundless yearning for a better life, and cultivate our sincere hope for good fortune in our journey of venerating Guan Yu and inheriting loyalty and righteousness. It enables everyone to grow towards the sun and walk towards the light under the nourishment of loyalty and righteousness. "Loyalty and righteousness illuminate a bright future" is not only the most profound and powerful inheritance of the culture of loyalty and righteousness of Guan Yu, but also a creative transformation and innovative development of excellent traditional Chinese culture. It not only continues the unwavering pursuit of a better future in the folk beliefs of Guan Yu, but also allows the spirit of loyalty and righteousness to shine like a beam of light piercing through the darkness, illuminating everyone's path forward and continuously nourishing our beautiful yearning for good fortune and our boundless aspirations for the future.
When the spirit of loyalty and righteousness is deeply rooted in everyone's heart and permeates every corner of social development, when everyone practices, transmits, and upholds loyalty and righteousness, we will surely gather an invincible and unstoppable force, and with full enthusiasm and courage, march towards a brighter and more beautiful future; fulfilling everyone's dreams of happiness and good fortune, and building the foundation for national peace and rejuvenation, so that the culture of Guan Gong's loyalty and righteousness will shine even more brightly, deeply, and eternally in history on the magnificent journey of the new era! (The author is the Chairman of China VTV, the founder of Guan Gong Universe, and the Co-Chairman of the World Guan Gong Cultural Tourism Alliance)
