Guo Ziyi

Guo Ziyi (born 697, Huaxian, Shaanxi province, China—died July 781, China) was one of the greatest of Chinese generals, later deified in popular religion.

Guo served three emperors of the Tang dynasty and is most noted for his successful fight against the rebellion of the Chinese general An Lushan in 755–757. From 760 to 765 he was occupied in defending China’s western provinces from incursions of the Tanguts and other nomadic peoples, and in 763 he recovered the Tang capital city, Chang’an, from the invading Turfans using only some 4,000 demoralized troops. In gratitude the emperor Taizong ennobled Guo and gave his daughter in marriage to Guo’s youngest son. Popular depictions of Guo sometimes show him leading or carrying his son to the imperial court.

In Chinese popular religion, Guo Ziyi is, like many local and national heroes, identified with one or more deities. He is sometimes equated with Fuxing, the stellar god of happiness, though this honour is more commonly given to the 6th-century mandarin Yang Cheng. Guo’s deification is popularly explained by the legend of his encounter with Zhinü, the heavenly weaving maiden. She appeared to Guo on the night of her feast day, and Guo, recognizing her, begged for happiness and riches. Zhinü promised that honours and riches would be his.