Guan Sheng Di Jun (Lord Guan)

Cao Cao may be history's most frustrated fan. After he had Guan Yu surrounded and brought him over to his side, he gave him fine wine and food, high rank and rich salary, and even the finest horse in the land, Red Hare. Guan Yu accepted Red Hare and was unmoved by everything else. Only one thing was on his mind: where was his sworn elder brother, Liu Bei?

The moment word came, Guan Yu set off, escorting his two sisters-in-law. Cao Cao had five passes along the way set to stop him, and he fought his way through every one — the episode told for a thousand years as 'crossing five passes and slaying six generals.' He turned his back on wealth and glory laid out before him, choosing instead to ride alone across a thousand li to join a brother who had nothing at the time.

This kind of loyalty, which holds a promise dearer than life, is exactly why Taiwanese people have stayed devoted to him for generations. In business, what people fear most is someone who won't keep their word — so they entrust their business to the god who keeps his word above all.

What is Guan Sheng Dijun best to pray for? Wealth and honest dealing in business, success in exams, fairness and justice, and warding off evil — all fall within his jurisdiction.

How to pray: set out your offerings, offer incense, state your name and what you are asking for, and finally cast the moon blocks (bwa bwei) to ask whether the god grants it. What matters most is sincerity — Guan Gong can't stand hypocrites.

Offerings: the three sacrificial meats (a whole chicken, pork, and a whole fish), longevity peaches, longevity noodles, and three cups of tea. Some people also place a copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals on the table as a tribute.

There is only one taboo, but it's the most important: keep your heart upright. If you're after shady windfalls, don't waste the incense — Guan Gong won't tolerate it.

Guan Sheng Dijun's birthday on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month is his most important festival. Guandi temples across Taiwan, including Taipei's Xingtian Temple and Tainan's Grand Martial Temple, hold grand celebrations with Taoist rites, fire-walking ceremonies, and opera performances for the gods.