General Zhou Cang

How to recognise General Zhou Cang

1. Black faceHis face is painted a flat, coal black, a deity-face colour just as Guan Gong's is red and Guan Ping's is white, and it is the clearest sign of who he is.
2. Full iron beardA thick, wiry or curly black beard reaches his chest, which temple writers describe as 黑面長鬚 (black face, long beard) and 鐵鬚 (iron beard).
3. Round, wide eyesLarge, round, wide-open eyes give him a fierce, watchful gaze.
4. Green Dragon Crescent BladeHe holds Guan Gong's 青龍偃月刀 (Green Dragon Crescent Blade), a long pole with one broad curved blade, upright at his lord's side, because the blade belongs to Guan Gong and not to him.
5. Tall, powerful buildHe is tall and burly with a broad chest, and temple sources credit his arms with enormous strength.
6. Warrior's dressHe wears a warrior's armour and robe, as in the clay figure at Xinzhuang Wusheng Temple, usually in darker, earthy tones that leave Guan Gong's green robe distinct.
7. Standing, imposing stanceHe always stands and is never enthroned, in the temple phrase 不怒而威, imposing without anger, and he is placed beside a larger, more prominent Guan Gong, with Guan Ping holding the seal on the other side.

Names and titles

• Bearer of the Green Dragon BladeHe carries Guan Gong's Green Dragon Crescent Blade at his side
• First in Loyalty Under HeavenIn popular tradition he is called the most loyal of men (天下第一忠心之人)
• Guardian at Guan Gong's SideZhou Cang and Guan Ping are the two guardians who flank Guan Gong in his temples
• Swift Enough for the Red HareA folk story says he could carry the heavy blade a thousand li on foot and keep up with Guan Gong's famous horse

Feast days

• Zhou Cang's Birthday (周倉將軍千秋聖誕)23rd day of the 10th lunar month (next: 30 November 2026)

  The birthday of General Zhou Cang, the attendant of Guan Gong (Guan Shengdijun). Devotees honour him for loyalty. They believe he followed Guan Gong in death. Some sources call the day his attainment of the Way (成道日).

  How it's celebrated. Temples that keep him beside Guan Gong make offerings on this day. One Taiwan example is Xinzhuang Wusheng Temple, which has held a formal three-offering wine rite with Daoist music and birthday scriptures. Temples where he is the main deity include Wanli Renhe Temple in New Taipei, Neiliao Fuqing Temple in Keelung and Yuegang Zhennan Temple in Tainan.

  Sources: 國家文化記憶庫: 周倉將軍 · 自由時報/242.tw: 新莊武聖廟 周倉將軍聖誕千秋 · 三立新聞網: 周倉將軍爺聖誕

• Zhou Dajiangjun's Birthday (周大將軍誕辰)19th day of the 6th lunar month (next: 21 July 2027)

  A second birthday tradition for General Zhou Cang, known as the birthday of Great General Zhou (周大將軍). Sources disagree on his birthday. This date is one of several, and the other main date is the one in the first note.

  How it's celebrated. Little is recorded about specific rites for this date. Some Taiwanese temple pages and devotee writings list it as his birthday, and Guandi temples may honour him at his statue beside Guan Gong. One writer notes that Baoan Temple in Sihu keeps his statue in the main hall. Practice varies by temple and community.

  Sources: 維基百科: 周倉 · 慈德慈惠堂: 周倉將軍 · Pixnet: 農六月十九日 周倉將軍聖誕千秋