Zhang Jiao
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| Great Teacher of the Yellow Turbans Zhang Jiao |
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| Simplified Chinese: | 张角 |
| Traditional Chinese: | 張角 |
| Pinyin: | Zhāng Jiǎo or Zhāng Jué |
| Wade-Giles: | Chang Chio |
| Read more about the Chinese name. | |
Zhang Jiao or Zhang Jue (140-188) (Simplified Chinese: 张角; Traditional Chinese: 張角; Pinyin: Zhāng Jiǎo or Zhāng Jué) was the leader of the Yellow Turbans during the period of the late Eastern Han Dynasty in China. He was said to be a sorcerer, and was a follower of Taoism.
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[edit] The Rebellion
Giving himself the title of "Great Teacher", he led the Yellow Turban Rebellion with his younger brothers Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang in a campaign called "The Way of Heaven" or "The Way of Peace". The Yellow Turbans claimed to be Taoists, and rebelled against the Han because of the high taxes placed against them. They conquered much in the early years of the rebellion, but when the Han sent out a distress call, gaining the talent of people such as Liu Bei and Cao Cao, the lack of ability of his generals showed. The Yellow Turbans, however, were still a strong threat until the death of Zhang Jiao, when, due to a lack of a good leader, it imploded on itself.
It is said that Zhang Jiao is the grandson of the founder of the Tianshi (Celestial Masters) Sect of Taoism, Zhang Daoling.
[edit] In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Zhang Jiao also features in the historical epic, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In the Moss Roberts translation of the novel, he is known as Zhang Jue.
- Note: Jue and Jiao are the same character in Chinese.
The character in the novel is introduced in the first chapter of the book:
At this time in the county of Julu was a certain Zhang family, of whom three brothers bore the name of Zhang Jue, Zhang Ba, and Zhang Lian, respectively. The eldest Zhang Jue was an unclassed graduate, who devoted himself to medicine. One day, while culling simples in the woods, Zhang Jue met a venerable old gentleman with very bright, emerald eyes and fresh complexion, who walked with an oak-wood staff. The old man beckoned Zhang Jue into a cave and there gave him three volumes of The Book of Heaven.
"This book," said the old gentleman, "is the Essential Arts of Peace. With the aid of these volumes, you can convert the world and rescue humankind. But you must be single-minded, or, rest assured, you will greatly suffer."
With a humble obeisance, Zhang Jue took the book and asked the name of his benefactor.
I am Saint Hermit of the Southern Land," was the reply, as the old gentleman disappeared in thin air.
Zhang Jue studied the wonderful book eagerly and strove day and night to reduce its precepts to practice. Before long, he could summon the winds and command the rain, and he became known as the Mystic of the Way of Peace.
He then goes on to found the rebellion known as the Yellow Scarves (or turbans). Little time is devoted to Jue in the book, and his death is given a line in the second chapter: "Zhang Jue had died before his (Huangfu Song's) arrival."
[edit] Modern references
Zhang Jiao is also a playable character in the Koei video game series, Dynasty Warriors. He is portrayed as a magician with a rather ridiculous manner of speech, who has a penchant for rolling the "r" in words. He is known to frequently mention the word "Heaven" during speeches, and wields a sword in his debut appearance, Dynasty Warriors 2. However, in all successive installments, his weapon is the magical "Volcano Staff," capable of spitting fire at opponents on the battlefield, although he can also use it to create much more grandiose spells and effects when presented with enough time, extra effort and the assistance of his brothers. Although Zhang Jiao is portrayed as an antagonist in the series, this is merely due to difference in perception regarding how China should be united in peace. Similar to opposing political beliefs between party factions, The Yellow Turban and Han forces can be viewed in similar regard to the opposing beliefs of Socialism and Capitalism as functional social foundations. Zhang Jiao seeks to remove the Han leadership he views as corrupt and abusive of their positions, who heavily tax and abuse the peasants they have been charged with serving, which was indeed true. The regional warlords also seek to unite the land, although they also wish to gain power in the process, putting them at odds with Zhang's attempts to remove the governing Han leadership which supports and empowers the regional warlords. These warlords also believe that Zhang's revolution will cause massive amounts of damage and death in the process, which was also true. Therefore, it is the player's responsibility to decide which faction is right/wrong and who is justified in the actions they have taken.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- Chen Shou (2002). San Guo Zhi. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80665-198-5.
- Luo Guanzhong (1986). San Guo Yan Yi. Yue Lu Shu She. ISBN 7-80520-013-0.
- Lo Kuan-chung; tr. C.H. Brewitt-Taylor (2002). Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3467-9.
| Preceded by: Founded |
Great Teacher of the Yellow Turbans 184-188 |
Succeeded by: none |
