Character Profile: Liu Bei 劉備
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| Name Hanzi: 劉備 |
| Pronunciation: Lyou Bei |
| Wade-Giles Spelling: Liu Pei |
| Japanese Name: Ryuubi |
| Style Name: Xuande |
| Allegiance: Shu-Han |
| Lifespan: 161-223 A.D. |
| Relations: father (Liu Hong) sworn brothers (Zhang Fei and Guan Yu) wives (Lady Gan, Lady Mi, Sun Shang Xiang, Lady Wu) sons (Liu Chan, Liu Yong, Liu Li) adopted son (Liu Feng) |
This profile is a few years old. It will be re-written when I reach this character's death in my novel notes.
Liu Bei was the ruler of Shu and a distant relative of the Emperor. Of the three kingdoms vying for control of China, he is the only one with a legitimate claim to the throne. Liu Bei had a humble begining despite his royal blood, losing his father at a young age and becoming a weaver. When he was 28 years old he met Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, and they swore brotherhood in the famous Peach Garden oath to defeat the Yellow Turbans and restore peace to China. He never quite succeeded in unifying his country, even with talents such as Zhuge Liang at his side. He died of depression and sickness after his defeat at Lu Xun's hands at Yi Ling.
Liu Bei was described as "liberal and amiable, albeit a man of few words, hiding all feeling under a calm exterior." He was known to be a man of high morals, very concerned with the welfare of the people of his country and adored by them in return.
Last updated: 17 April 2008.