Meet Guan Yu: Chinese General, God, Giant (Statue)
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I
always knew that sculpture was a sensational art form, but I have never
seen anything as incredible as this newly unveiled statue of Chinese
historical figure, the deified Guan Yu. This gargantuan colossus stands
190 feet tall and weighs in at over 1,320 tons. So, if you thought
modern Chinese architecture was little better than Stalinist flat-pack
tower blocks, think again, because this statue is an engineering work of
art, fit to rival some of the greatest feats in human history.
Guan
Yu now stands - as a proud symbol of righteousness, uprightness,
integrity and loyalty - in the city of Jingzhou, China. He is revered by
many modern Chinese people, and is worshipped as part of both the
Daoist and Buddhist religious systems. But back in the Third century
A.D., Yu was a formidable general during the troublesome Three Kingdoms
period of Chinese history, as one dynasty collapsed and another formed.
Today’s
gigantic Guan Yu tribute was designed by the man who created the
mascots for Beijing’s highly successful Olympics of 2008. Now designer
Han Meilin has just put the finishing touches on a far more traditional
symbol of Chinese culture, which was made with 4,000 strips of bronze.
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The
giant Yu stands upon a 12-yard-high pedestal which resembles a
traditional Chinese ship of war. At this site, as part of the structure,
there is also a museum for visitors to learn more about the Oriental
god.
The
god’s military stance is made all the more menacing as he grips his
green dragon crescent blade. Yet this threatening pose is seen as a kind
of spiritual protection for the statue’s worshipers. In a sense, he is a
talisman for the Chinese, and also a warning to rival nations that
China is ready to defend itself against anyone who wants to try and hurt
it.
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