明代关羽信仰传播基础述论

On the beliefs of Guan Yu in the Ming dynasty

明代是关羽信仰传播和普及的重要时期,也是关羽庙宇兴修和扩建的重要阶段。关羽的忠勇仁义形象符合官方主导思想,再加上文艺和志书的塑造、经济社会的发展以及军事活动的推动,到明代后期,关羽祠宇数量甚至超过孔庙,关羽信仰也传播到了海外,从而为清代关羽标准化的国家崇拜奠定了坚实的基础。

Ming dynasty sees the beginning of the public beliefs of Guan Yu, and construction of temples for Guan Yu. The images of loyalty, bravery, benevolence and piety are in accordance to with the official mainstream of thoughts, in addition to the social and military development. By the end of the Ming, the number of the Guan Yu temples surpasses that of Confucius. And meanwhile, the beliefs spread overseas.