吉庆生肖 |五虎上将——关张赵马黄忠义威名扬

The Five Tiger Generals — Guan, Zhang, Zhao, Ma, and Huang — and Their Reputation for Loyalty and Integrity

全球吉庆生肖设计大赛

Global Chinese Zodiac Design Competition

全球吉庆生肖设计大赛是由北京市文化和旅游局与中央美术学院共同主办，北京市海外文化交流中心等单位承办执行的品牌文化活动。大赛旨在推广我国生肖文化，延伸春节文化内涵，推进中华优秀传统文化的国际传播能力建设。大赛自2014年起，已经连续举办9年，累计收到28067件设计作品，获奖作品406件，参加作品征集的设计师来自32个省市及20余个国家。

The Global Chinese Zodiac Design Competition is a cultural event co-sponsored by Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the Central Academy of Fine Arts and jointly organized by Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchanges Center and other institutions. The event aims to spread Chinese zodiac culture, enrich the cultural connotations of Spring Festival, and strength traditional Chinese culture’s international communication capacity building. Since its inception in 2014, the annual competition has been held for 9 consecutive years and received a total of 28067 entries from 32 provinces municipalities and autonomous regions of China as well as more than 20 countries, of which 406 won prizes. 

吉庆年年—壬寅虎年生肖作品展

Year of Auspice – Virtual Exhibition 

for Zodiac Designs of the Year of the Tiger

全球吉庆生肖设计大赛的每一件作品背后，都凝聚着作者对中国传统文化的理解与热爱，通过艺术创作将生肖文化的内涵和美感传递给海内外的生肖文化爱好者们。大赛获奖作品中蕴含了哪些文化内涵呢？今天，就让我们一起来看看《五虎上将新春送吉祥》作品创作背后的设计灵感和故事吧！

Each entry of the Global Chinese Zodiac Design Competition conveys its designer’s understanding and love of traditional Chinese culture. Through their artistic works, they pass on the cultural and aesthetic connotations of Chinese zodiac to zodiac culture lovers both at home and abroad. What cultural connotations do the prize winners of the competition contain? Let’s listen to the stories of traditional Chinese culture that inspire the works participating in the zodiac design competition for the Year of the Tiger.

2022全球吉庆生肖设计大赛

（壬寅虎年）

主题平面设计、多媒体及交互设计单元

三等奖

《五虎上将新春送吉祥》

Global Chinese Zodiac Design Competition 2022

(the Year of the Tiger)

Thematic Graphic Design, Multimedia, and Interaction Design Units

The third prize

The Five Tiger Generals Sending New Year's Best Wishes

作者介绍

Designer

刘峥 

Liu Zheng

设计说明

Design description

围绕生肖虎展开创意思路，由于财神、寿星等新年形象元素比较常规，故此萌生新的想法。提到虎，作者想到了三国五虎上将，将老虎的形象和春节元素与之相结合。“关张赵马黄”结合“福禄寿喜财”即宣扬中国传统文化，又符合虎年新春气氛，最终可衍生系列文创产品。

Due to the familiarity of traditional New Year's image elements like the God of Wealth and the God of Longevity, a novel concept based on the Chinese zodiac tiger emerged. The Five Tiger Generals of the Three Kingdoms came to mind as the designer combined the Chinese New Year motifs with the image of the tiger. The combination of"Guan, Zhang, Zhao, Ma, and Huang" with"Luck, Prosperity, Longevity, Happiness, and Wealth" promotes traditional Chinese culture and complements the spirit of the Year of the Tiger, which could potentially inspire the creation of a number of culturally creative products.

深入人心的

“五虎上将”英雄形象

The well-known heroic image of the"Five Tiger Generals"

著名画家刘奎龄画作——虎（局部）

Tiger (partial)

By renowned Chinese painter Liu Kui Ling

虎威风凛凛，奔走如风，仰天长啸时百兽辟易。长期以来，它一直被当作是权力和力量的象征，为人们所敬畏。在十二生肖中，虎位列第三，具有其实丰富的文化内涵。

在古时，虎一直被当作是权力和力量的象征，最为著名的就是皇帝调兵遣将用的虎符了。从而也出现了虎将、虎师指代指英勇善战、表现突出的将士和军队。在博大精深的中华文化中，有关虎的形象更是层出不穷，我们熟知的“五虎上将”就是通过将人物比喻成“老虎”，来展现人们对英雄的赞誉。

The image of a tiger that sprints like the wind has always been formidable, and its roar would drive nearby animals to flee instantly. As a result, it has long been revered as a symbol of strength and power. The tiger ranks third among the twelve Chinese zodiac signs and boasts significant cultural overtones.

In ancient times, the tiger was a common representation of strength and power. The most famous example is the emperor's use of a tiger talisman to move armies and deploy generals. As a result, the terms"tiger generals" and"tiger divisions" came into use to describe valiant and combative generals and troops with exceptional performance. Tiger imagery is prevalent throughout the profound Chinese culture. And by comparing the characters to"tigers," the well-known"Five Tiger Generals" illustrates the veneration in which people hold heroes.

五虎上将

五虎上将，出自于《三国演义》，是指汉末三国时期，跟随刘备建立蜀汉政权的五位将军。分别为关羽、张飞、赵云、马超、黄忠。陈寿最早作《三国志》时，将五人并列合为一传，但还并未提出五虎上将的概念，而后经过漫长的历史演变，这五人被塑造成五虎将，并在文学作品、历史书籍、个人作品集都有不同程度的记录，在民间更是以艺术的形式被广为流传，随着时代的发展，五人的人物顺序也出现各种版本的改变。清乾隆皇帝主持修订的《四库全书》也将五虎收录。

The Five Tiger Generals, from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, refer to the five generals who followed Liu Bei to establish the Shu Han regime from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) to the Three Kingdoms Periods (220-280). Namely Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Ma Chao, and Huang Zhong. Chen Shou grouped the five individuals into one biography when he initially penned the Records of the Three Kingdoms. However, he did not yet introduce the concept of the Five Tiger Generals. These five men were portrayed as the Five Tiger Generals after a long historical evolution, were recorded to varying degrees in literature, history books, and personal collections, and were even extensively circulated in folklore in the form of art. As time passed, various versions of the order of the five characters emerged. The Five Tiger Generals were also included in the Siku Quanshu, or Complete Library in the Four Branches of Literature, which was revised under the reign of Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong.

“五虎上将”

熠熠生辉的民俗文化明珠

"Five Tiger Generals"

An iridescent gem of folk wisdom

关羽凭借着青龙偃月刀，曾于百万军之中取上将首级；而张飞喝段长坂坡，素有万人敌之称；赵云更是七进七出，救下少主刘禅；马超让曹操忌惮不已，也曾吓得刘璋直接开城投降；黄忠则临阵斩杀了虎步关右的夏侯渊等。

五虎上将的经典事迹数不胜数，他们生前战功赫赫，成为了一时美谈。死后更是受万民敬仰，成为了不朽的传说……

Guan Yu, by virtue of the Green Dragon crescent-moon blade, had taken the general's head amid a million armies; Zhang Fei, who made the iconic uproar at the Battle of Changban to stop the enemies, was known to be capable of defeating a formidable foe; Zhao Yun withstood a heavy siege and entered Cao's camp seven times to save the young lord Liu Chan; Ma Chao, who was formidable even to Cao Cao, had frightened Liu Zhang into opening the city and surrendering; Huang Zhong killed Xia Houyuan, a reputable commander who had followed Cao Cao on his conquests for many years.

The heroic actions of the Five Tiger Generals are innumerable, and their tales of remarkable military achievements were passed down for so long that, after their deaths, they were held in even higher esteem by the public and became eternal legends.

“五虎”之首——关羽

The Head of the"Five Tigers" 

Guan Yu

关帝庙图片来源：北京时间

Guandi (Emperor Guan) Temple

Photo credit: BRTV

关羽在后世的影响可以说是五虎上将里最高的，从北宋开始，历朝历代就开始了对关羽的追封，逐渐成为武圣，在民间以各种方式对其进行祭拜，被尊为“三界伏魔大帝”。

关羽的民间追随者也不少，各地都建有武庙供奉祭祀他，家中也会常摆关公像祭拜。关帝庙已经成为中国传统文化的一个主要组成部分，与人们的生活息息相关，并与后人尊称的“文圣人”孔夫子齐名，被人们称之为武圣关公。

Guan Yu's influence in later periods has been deemed the greatest among the Five Tiger Generals. Since the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), subsequent regimes have begun to posthumously honor Guan Yu, who has progressively become a martial arts saint. The public revered him as"the great emperor who vanquished evil in all three realms" and worshiped him in various ways.

There are martial temples built all over the world to worship Guan Yu, and his statues are frequently displayed in private homes. Guandi (Emperor Guan) Temple, which is devoted to Guan Yu, has become an integral part of traditional Chinese culture and is closely connected to people's lives. Guan Yu's prestige rivals that of Confucius, the paragon of Chinese sages, as later generations dubbed him the martial sage Guan Gong (Duke Guan).

“熊虎之将”——张飞

"The Daring General Who Takes Bear and Tiger" 

Zhang Fei

张桓侯祠图片来源：空灵旅途说说

Zhang Fei Temple

Photo Credit: Kongling Lvtu Shuoshuo

虽说五虎上将张“地位最高”的是关羽，但论最早“封神”的，其实是张飞。关羽成神是从两宋开始的，而张飞则在三国末期就已经出名了。

张飞去世后，百姓们曾为他建张恒侯庙，一直供奉香火。人们起初奉他为城隍爷，后来又尊他为阴阳大使，专管天下不平事，也是个权力不小的神。

Although Guan Yu is regarded as having the"highest status" of the Five Tiger Generals, Zhang Fei was the first to be apotheosized. Guan Yu rose to prominence during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), whereas Zhang Fei was already well-known at the end of the Three Kingdoms Periods (220-280).

Following Zhang Fei's death, people built a temple in his honor, ZhangFei Temple, and began offering incense to him. People revered him as the City God at first and then as the"Ambassador of Yin and Yang," a god of considerable power who specialized in resolving the world's injustice.

虎威将军——赵云

"The General of Tiger Power" 

Zhao Yun

赵云庙图片来源：马蜂窝

Zhao Yun Temple

Photo Credit: Mafengwo

赵云常被人们视作三国时期最完美武将，民间各地都有百姓修建的赵云庙（在四川、河南、河北等地都有）。道教还尊赵云为“南宫辅佐真君”，台湾人尊其为“赵圣帝君”。

Zhao Yun is widely perceived as the greatest warrior of the Three Kingdoms Period, and temples have been established in his honor throughout China, particularly in Sichuan, Henan, and Hebei. Zhao Yun is revered by Taoism as"Nangong Fuzuo Zhenjun," a God who assists the true Emperor and by Taiwanese people as"Zhao Sheng Dijun," an honorary title of holiness.

抗飏虓虎——马超

"The General of the Roaring Tiger Spirit" 

Ma Chao

马超墓图片来源：游天下

The Temple of Ma Chao

Photo Credit: youtx.com

武艺超群的马超也有着广大的追随者，马超庙祠于成都、汉中等地都建载录。明朝将马超归为“七十二阴雷部神将”之一，而清朝百姓则奉他为门神。《正统道藏》中还将其封为“马超元帅护羌神”。

Ma Chao's outstanding martial arts also earned him a considerably popular following. The Temple of Ma Chao was founded in Chengdu and Hanzhong, Shaanxi. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Ma Chao was regarded as one of Taoism's"Seventy-two Divine Generals," while the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) revered him as the God of the Door. In the Zhengtong Daozang (usually rendered as Taoist Canon), he was also referred to as"Marshal Ma Chao, Protector of the Northwest."

勇毅冠三军——黄忠

"The Bravest and Most Persevering General" Huang Zhong

黄忠故里图片来源：百度百科

The Hometown of Huang Zhong

Photo Credit: Baidu Baike

三国传奇人物黄忠，以老而弥坚的形象闻名后世。自从黄忠祠、墓建成之后，每年清明时节，乡民们都要在这里赶庙会，祭祀黄忠，祈祷丰年。

Huang Zhong, the legendary Three Kingdoms hero, is known for his image of getting stronger and tougher as he aged. Since the building of the temple and tomb in honor of Huang Zhong, locals have flocked here every year during the Qingming Festival (or Tomb-Sweeping Day, which comes on April. 5) to attend the temple fair, worship Huang Zhong, and pray for a prosperous year.

京剧中的“五虎上将”形象

The"Five Tiger Generals" 

in Beijing Opera

在中国民间，以京剧为代表的戏曲艺术，通过剧目传承、优美的唱腔念白、精湛的武功技巧、神奇的脸谱艺术、美妙的化妆、流光溢彩的戏装头饰和夸张的舞台艺术形象，“五虎上将”的形象广为流传，成为了“虎文化”的代表。而“五虎上将”的脸谱也成为中国百姓乃至外国友人直观易懂，映射中国美学意涵，讲述中国故事的优良载体。

In Chinese folklore, the art of opera, such as the best-known Beijing Opera, is distinguished by its repertoire heritage, beautiful singing and recitation, fine martial arts skills, magical facial makeup, colorful costume headpiece, and exaggerated stage art image. The image of the"Five Tiger Generals" has become so popular that it has become an emblem of"tiger culture." And the facial makeup of the"Five Tiger Generals" has become a good vehicle for the Chinese people and even foreign friends to tell the story of China and communicate the intricacies of Chinese aesthetics in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner.

京剧中的关羽

Guan Yu in Beijing Opera

关羽京剧扮相图片来源：中国国家京剧院

Guan Yu in Peking Opera costume

Photo Credit: National Peking Opera Company of China

戏曲舞台上，关羽的形象别具一格，红脸、面生七痣、髯口、丹凤眼，显得格外威风，京剧中的“红生”行当也由此而来。以关羽为主要角色的京剧剧目也非常多，像《温酒斩华雄》、《虎牢关》、《月下斩貂蝉》、《过五关》等等。

从古至今，关羽不仅以其超越常人的“义”活在中国人的心中，还以血肉丰满的形象活跃在戏曲舞台上。京剧中对关羽“义”的刻画不仅限于对蜀汉的忠义、对朋友的信义，还表现在对百姓的仗义上。关羽的“义”涵盖了“忠义”、“义气”、“侠义”、“道义”等多方面内容，这些在京剧的关戏剧目中都有所体现。

Guan Yu has a distinct image on the opera stage, with a red face, seven moles, bearded lips, and phoenix eyes, which makes him appear particularly regal. He is also the origin of the Hongsheng role, a subcategory of the Sheng role characterized by a red face. Guan Yu is the protagonist of numerous Peking operas, such as"The Decapitation of Hua Xiong Before the Wine Gets Cold,""Hulao Pass,""Killing Diao Chan Under the Moon,""Forcing Five Passes," etc.

Guan Yu has not only lived in the hearts of Chinese people with his transcendent"righteousness" from history to the present day, but his image has also been active on the opera stage. The portrayal of Guan Yu's"righteousness" in Beijing Opera is not confined to his allegiance to the Shu Han regime and his commitment to his allies; it also includes his righteousness toward the general public. Guan Yu's"righteousness" encompasses, among other qualities,"loyalty,""brotherhood code,""chivalry," and"moral integrity," which are all reflected in the Guan Yu-starred repertoire of Beijing Opera.

京剧中的张飞

Zhang Fei in Beijing Opera

张飞京剧扮相图片来源：微博@DODO3721

Zhang Fei in Beijing Opera costume

Photo Credit: Weibo @DODO3721

张飞是京剧《鞭打督邮》、《瓦口关》、《芦花荡》等剧目中的主要人物，是京剧中架子花脸行应工的角色。京剧中每张脸谱都有着不同的意义，张飞属于忠心耿直，所以他的脸谱一般为黑色，且其中暗藏了个“飞”字。

张飞脸谱经历了从“整脸”（满脸涂黑）到“花脸”（只有脑门是黑色）再到“十字门”（把脑门黑色缩窄成一根柱）的演变，表达了张飞脾气刚烈、性格急躁、嫉恶如仇的性格。

Zhang Fei is the main character in Peking Opera plays such as"Whipping the Inspector,""The Battle of Wakou Pass," and"Lu Hua Dang," playing Jia Zi, one of the main types of Jing role (also known as Hualian for its heavy facial painting) that performs more acting than singing. Each face in Peking Opera has a distinct meaning. Zhang Fei is reliable and trustworthy, hence his face is typically painted black with the Chinese character"Fei" hidden.

Zhang Fei's facial makeup progresses from a"full black face" to a"black forehead only," then to a restricted"pillar-shaped black in the forehead," symbolizing his fiery temper, impetuous personality, and cynicism about evil.

京剧中的赵云

Zhao Yun in Beijing Opera

赵云京剧扮相图片来源：中国国家京剧院

Zhao Yun in Peking Opera costume

Photo Credit: National Peking Opera Company of China

京剧舞台上的赵子龙不胜枚举。最有名的要数赵子龙青年、中年、老年的三出剧目《长坂坡》《阳平关》《空城计》，其中《长坂坡》里赵子龙为绝对男主，《阳平关》《空城计》中都是主配。这三出剧目在京剧舞台上久演不衰。

京剧舞台上的赵子龙身穿白靠，背插靠旗，手持银枪，威风凛凛，一般以长靠武生、武老生应工。

There are numerous Beijing operas in which Zhao Yun (courtesy name Zilong) stars. However, the three plays"Battle of Changban,""Battle of Yangping," and"Empty Fort Strategy," which Zhao Zilong performed in his youth, middle age, and old age, are the most well-known. Zhao Zilong plays the exclusive male lead in"Battle of Changban" and the primary supporting role in both"Battle of Yangping" and"Empty Fort Strategy." These three plays have long been presented on the Beijing opera stage.

On the Beijing opera stage, Zhao Zilong, who typically portrays the acrobatic Wu Sheng character, is clad in white, with pennants on his back and a silver spear in his hand, giving a formidable appearance.

京剧中的马超

Ma Chao in Beijing Opera

马超京剧扮相图片来源：北京京剧院

Ma Chao in Peking Opera costume

Photo Credit: National Peking Opera Company of China

京剧名本中马超多为武生，以马超为主角的京剧戏目主要有《绝粮返境》、《反西凉》、《战冀州》、《赚历城》、《战马超》、《取成都》、《战渭南》等。

京剧中马超的形象常以“勇猛似虎豹”来形容。在诸多与曹操相关的京剧中，曹操一生的劫难，最大莫过于“潼关遇马超”，诸葛亮更称“马超名将世间稀少”。

Ma Chao is predominantly Wu Sheng among the renowned Beijing opera acts. The Beijing opera plays that include Ma Chao as the main character include"Returning without Food,""Returning Xiliang,""Battle of Jizhou,""Conquering Licheng,""Ma Chao's Battle,""Taking Chengdu," and"Battle of Weinan," among others.

In Beijing operas, Ma Chao is usually depicted as"brave and fierce as a tiger or leopard." In many Peking operas about Cao Cao, there is no worse misfortune than"meeting Ma Chao at the Tong Pass," and Zhuge Liang remarked that"a general like Ma Chao is hard to come across in the world."

京剧中的黄忠

Huang Zhong in Beijing Opera

黄忠京剧扮相图片来源：中国吉林网

Huang Zhong in Beijing Opera costume

Photo Credit: cnjiwang.com

黄忠是历史上有名的老将，在老年时期表现活跃，与战国时期赵国大将廉颇齐名。以黄忠为主要角色的剧目有《战长沙》、《定军山》、《阳平关》、《伐东吴》等。

Huang Zhong was a well-known veteran general who remained active in old age and was comparable to Lian Po, the renowned general of the Zhao state during the Warring States Period (475-221B.C.). The plays"Battle of Changsha,""Dingjun Mountain,""Battle of Yangping," and"Fighting Wu State" all feature Huang Zhong as the leading character.

三国里五虎上将的“仁义威忠勇”精神，让无数人在成长过程中建立起对东方英雄的定义。现如今，我们通过电视剧、舞台剧、京剧等一系列方式将英勇善战的五虎上将故事具象化，可以让更多人通过视觉、听觉、肢体、艺术的形式，感知中国传统文化的魅力。

The ethos of"benevolence, integrity, power, loyalty, and courage" exemplified by the Five Tiger Generals of the Three Kingdoms has inspired innumerable individuals to define Oriental heroes. Today, we can visualize the story of the heroic and valiant Five Tiger Generals through various dramas, stage plays, and Peking operas, allowing more people to experience the appeal of ancient Chinese culture through visual, aural, physical, and artistic forms.