Bronze Guan Gong Statue: Worship and Placement

　　Guan Yu, an important general under Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period. Because of Guan Yu's image of loyalty and righteousness, he is revered as Guan Gong, also known as the "Martial Saint." The reason for Guan Yu's special status and his role as an object of worship is primarily due to the high regard for his loyalty and righteousness throughout Chinese culture. In Feng Shui, he is also known as the Martial God of Wealth, capable of protecting the home and warding off evil. Even in contemporary society and certain social groups, the worship of Guan Yu remains prevalent.

　　Frequent viewers of Hong Kong dramas will know that in Hong Kong, from the triad members in Causeway Bay to the senior police superintendents of the CIB, many have the custom of worshipping Guan Gong. While we have the custom of worshipping Guan Gong, many households do not place the Guan Gong statue in the correct position. This article will provide a series of introductions on the proper placement of Guan Gong statues.

　　Guan Gong Statues

　　There are two types of Guan Gong statues: Literary Guan Gong and Martial Guan Gong.

　　Literary Guan Gong holds a copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals, while Martial Guan Gong holds a large sword.

　　Literary Guan Gong presides over academics, careers, wealth, and health. Generally, he is enshrined in the home, facing north from a south-facing position.

　　Martial Guan Gong presides over warding off evil, blocking negative energy, protecting the home, and promoting righteousness. He is generally enshrined at the entrance, facing the main door, or within the home, facing the doorway.

　　Statues holding a sword should be placed facing the main door or a large balcony with floor-to-ceiling windows. Statues holding the Spring and Autumn Annals can be placed facing west from an east-facing position or in a study. Generally, the statue's feet should not be lower than chest height.

　　Ideally, the statue should face the shop door; facing east is also acceptable. If it's for protecting the home, the sword should point inwards; if it's for business, the blade should point outwards. However, Guan Gong statues cannot be placed casually, as they can easily attract bloodshed. The Guan Gong statue should face the main door, attracting wealth into the house while guarding the entrance and preventing evil from entering.

　　There are two types of Guan Gong statues today: one with the sword point upwards, and the other with the sword point downwards. The upward-pointing sword represents Guan Gong's loyalty and righteousness, while the downward-pointing sword represents attracting wealth. It is important to distinguish between the two. When placing a Guan Gong statue, there is a taboo: because Guan Gong is a martial general with strong killing energy, he should not be placed in a room with a pregnant woman.

　　How to Properly Place a Guan Gong Statue

　　Many households now place Guan Gong statues for attracting wealth, protecting wealth, and ensuring safety. Now, Guan Gong, like the God of Wealth, has become a deity jointly managing financial power. Placing a Guan Gong statue at home and offering daily worship can ensure safety and attract wealth. Many companies or groups also use statues and ritual objects to attract wealth for the company!

　　What are the different styles of Guan Gong statues?

　　Three common styles of Guan Gong statues: Guan Gong with a horizontal sword, Guan Gong with an upright sword, and Guan Gong on horseback.

　　Their respective meanings are:

　　Guan Gong with a horizontal sword: In Chinese folklore, he is generally called the Martial God of Wealth, implying that he is a god of wealth, attracting and protecting wealth, and ensuring safety.

　　Guan Gong with an upright sword: Guan Yu was known for his righteousness and loyalty; the upright sword symbolizes righteousness and considering the greater good.

　　Guan Gong on horseback: This implies achieving success quickly, generally used for blessings and gifts.

　　Placement of Guan Gong Statues

　　1. Should not face the main bedroom door.

　　2. Should not be placed in other bedrooms; the killing energy is too strong.

　　3. Avoid facing the toilet.

　　4. Suitable height: generally around one meter tall.

　　5. Placement of offerings: Offerings should be in pairs; incense should be special God of Wealth incense; wine cups should also be placed.

　　6. Place in the center of the front third of the hall; choose a Guan Gong statue with a horizontal sword (Martial God of Wealth).

　　Placement of Guan Gong Statues

　　Many business people or entrepreneurs choose to enshrine Guan Gong and the God of Wealth to seek protection from evil and attract wealth. In addition to choosing a consecrated and efficacious Guan Gong statue, the placement of the statue is also crucial.

　　The best placement for a Guan Gong statue is facing south from a north-facing position, facing the main door but at a certain distance. It is generally placed in the front third of the hall or living room. If facing south from a north-facing position conflicts with facing the main door, priority should be given to facing the main door. This attracts wealth and protects the home, eliminating evil energy at the entrance and ensuring peace in the home.

　　When placing the Martial God of Wealth, there should be walls on either side, representing the Azure Dragon on the left and the White Tiger on the right. If incense burners and vases are also placed, their height should not exceed that of the Guan Gong statue.

　　Placement taboos: Should not face the toilet, kitchen, or bedroom; should not have its back to the toilet; offerings should be made with sincerity; deceitful words should be avoided.

　　The best orientation is facing south from a north-facing position. The Guanlin in Luoyang is the burial place of Guan Yu's head and the highest-level Guan Yu tomb, the only one worthy of being called a "Lin." The Guan Gong statue in Guanlin faces south from a north-facing position and is the only place where Guan Di is individually consecrated.

　　Having walls on either side means there should be partitions on both sides, not necessarily touching. This is a requirement for a geomantic auspicious position; an offering table can be used.

　　These are the main points to consider when placing a bronze Guan Gong statue. We hope this helps everyone. We wish all our friends early wealth and daily prosperity!