Zhang Jiao
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Three Pure Ones
Guan Shengdi
Eight Immortals
Yellow Emperor · Xiwangmu
Jade Emperor · Chang'e
Other deities
Laozi · Zhuangzi · Sunzi
Zhang Daoling · Zhang Jiao
Ge Hong · Chen Tuan
Wang Chongyang
- This is a Chinese name; the family name is Zhang (å¼µ).
Zhang Jiao or Zhang Jue (died 184) was the leader of the Yellow Turbans during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of 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". He and his brothers had their own power: Zhang Bao was the General of Land, and his brother General of the People; and Zhang Jiao was the General of Heaven. 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, Cao Cao and Sun Jian, the lack of ability that his generals held clearly showed itself. As the Yellow Turbans still remained somewhat capable even in face of their more powerful foe, they were nonetheless torn apart upon the death of their leader, Zhang Jiao, and were ultimately quelled in subsequence.
It is said that Zhang Jiao is the grandson of the founder of the Tianshi Dao--Celestial Masters--Sect of Taoism, Zhang Daoling.
[edit] In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Zhang Jiao (Zhang Jue) also features in the historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Zhang's character is introduced in the Chapter One:
At that time, there lived three brothers in Julu Commandery: Zhang Jue,[1]Zhang Bao and Zhang Liang. Zhang Jue was a failure in the county level examination. He had gone into the mountains to gather some medicinal herbs, when he came across an old man; the old man had a youthful countenance, and was carrying a fat-hen walking stick. The old man beckoned Jue into a cave, presented him with a book in three volumes which had come from the heavens, then said, "This book is called The Essential Art of Great Peace. Once you have mastered its contents, you will represent the heavens in spreading this knowledge, and thereby save all of mankind. If you start to have second thoughts, there will be terrible consequences for you." Jue enquired as to the old man's name. The old man said, "I am the old immortal spirit from the southern lands."[2] With that, the old man vanished into thin air. Upon receiving this book, Jue practiced night and day. Eventually, he could summon the wind and rain, and came to be known as the Great Peace Daoist. (Wikisource translation)
He then goes on to found the rebellion known as the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Little time is devoted to Zhang 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
