From general to god
Guan Yu was a Han-dynasty general renowned above all for 義 — righteousness, loyalty, keeping one’s word. Canonised over centuries, he is now venerated in Buddhist, Daoist and Confucian contexts simultaneously, and by both the police and the societies they pursue.
He is the patron of merchants because a merchant’s word is their credit. His feast is the twenty-fourth day of the sixth lunar month.
Offerings
Tea, wine, and the colour red. Guan Di is traditionally offered things a soldier would accept.
Common questions
Why do businesses keep his statue?
Because he stands for keeping your word — the foundation of trade on credit.
Buddhist or Daoist?
Both, and Confucian too. He is one of the most widely shared deities in Chinese religion.
What is he petitioned for?
Protection, justice, courage, and honest dealing.