| Factor | Effect on Legend | |--------|------------------| | Romance of the Three Kingdoms (c. 1300s CE) | Added supernatural events, dramatic dialogues, fictional characters (Diaochan), and moral polarization. | | Chinese opera (Ming-Qing dynasties) | Codified face colors: red = loyal (Guan Yu); white = cunning (Cao Cao); black = rough (Zhang Fei). | | Folk religion | Guan Yu became Guandi (God of War and Wealth); Zhuge Liang worshipped as a sage. | | Modern media (games, films, manga) | Reinterpretations: Cao Cao as charismatic antihero; Lu Bu as overpowered boss; female generals added. |