Traditional culture in plain words
Guan Di Festival (關帝誕)
The 24th day of the sixth lunar month is the birthday of Guan Di, the general honoured for loyalty and righteousness. In 2026 it falls on 6 August.
At a glance
How the festivals began
Guan Di is Guan Yu (關羽), a famous general of the Three Kingdoms period. He is remembered for his loyalty and sense of duty, and many people call him Guan Gong or, in Cantonese, Kwan Tai.
Guan Di temples are found in many places, for example in southern China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Business people and many trades also honour him, valuing trust and good faith in their work.
Traditional customs
On the festival day, worshippers light incense and present offerings. Many shops keep a small Guan Di image and light incense before it, keeping good faith at the heart of trade. In southern China and Hong Kong, some communities stage traditional operas to thank the gods, and the mood is lively.
Festival dates are converted from the lunar calendar and are for reference only. Customs vary a little from place to place. For temple and community events, please follow the organisers' announcements.