Character Profile: Zhang Jiao 張角
| Pinyin Name: | Zhāng Jué (or Jiǎo) / Zhang1 Jiao3 (or Jue2) |  |
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| Wade-Giles Name: | Chang Chüeh (or Chiao) | |
| Pronunciation (Yale): | Jang Jywe (or Jyau) | |
| Hanzi/Kanji Name: |  |
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| Japanese Name: | Choukaku | |
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| A.K.A: | "Wise and Worthy Master," "General of Heaven" | |
| Lifespan: | ?-184 A.D. | |
| Allegiance: | Yellow Turbans (or Yellow Scarves) | |
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| First appeared in: | Dynasty Warriors 2 |
Biography
Zhang Jiao was a scholar from Ju Lu county who had failed the government exams.
Zhuang Zi's mystical teachings
Since he couldn't get a job in the government, Zhang Jiao instead took to gathering medicinal herbs. One day while gathering herbs, he met a hermit named Zhuang Zi, who gave him the book Essential Arts for the Millenium and instructed Jiao to teach people the Way of Peace, apparently a philosophy. From the book, Jiao learned more about this philosophy, and also learned magic to control the elements and cure disease. He shared his knowledge with his two brothers, and they traveled the land, healing the sick.
The Yellow Turban Rebellion
During his travels, Zhang Jiao attracted many followers. He and his brothers organized their followers into an army to overthrow the Han Dynasty, which they believed was corrupt and dying. The rebels were called the Yellow Turbans, or Yellow Scarves, because they wore yellow strips of cloth around their heads. Zhang Jiao styled himself the General of Heaven; Zhang Bao was the General of Earth, and Zhang Liang the General of Men.
In 184 A.D. they attacked various provinces and cities, but through the efforts of many talented Han generals, including Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, Guan Yu, and Cao Cao, the Zhang brothers were slain and the rebellion was dispersed, though Yellow Turbans continued to cause problems for some time. The rebellion revealed the corruption of the eunuchs, and the common people's discontent.
Exactly how Zhang Jiao died is not known.
Novel Chapters
- First appearance; Yellow Turban Rebellion begins
- Yellow Turban Rebellion quashed; Zhang Jiao dies
Last updated: 17 April 2008.