Walk into a Chinese restaurant (even in Oklahoma), a Chinese police station, a kung fu martial arts studio or even a Chinese temple and you often see a red faced warrior often holding a heavy quan-do (spear like weapon).
He was known as Kuan Yu, a man that became a god. He is based a real person who was loved during the Ching Dynasty. He was from the Han Dynasty (3rd century AD) He became the patron saint for all martial artists, good and bad, police and Triad.
His story became legend in the famous novel: Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He teamed up with Lui Pei and Chang Fei as sworn brothers and became a famous warrior. This was a period of the revolt of the Yellow Turbans. The three helped to end the rebellion.
Another rebellion would be led by General Tsao Tsao, who captured Liu Pei and then Kuan Yu. Kuan Yu surrended because he wanted to see his friend Liu Pei again. The General captured him to try to convince him to join his side. He tried to bribe and even tempt Kuan Yu by keeping him with Liu Pei wife and concubines. Instead, Kuan Yu resisted the money and the women. His country, integrity, and friendship meant more to him than fame and wealth.
It is more his deed of kindness and honesty that made him a warrior saint. He represented Confucian values, where loyalty is so valued.
A couple of centuries later an emperor promoted him to Prince, another to Duke and so on. Much later in 1594, he was elevated to godhood by the Ming Emperor Wan Li and was given the title: Ti.
He is also the guardian of business or another god of wealth.