Zhou Cang

Zhou Cang is a fictional character in Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

A strong warrior with a dark face and a wiry beard, Zhou became caught up in the Yellow Turban Rebellion and joined the rebels. It was during this time that he first met Guan Yu, who impressed him with his courage and sense of honor. However, after the rebellion was crushed by Han Dynasty forces, Zhou became a renegade bandit. He inhabited Mount Woniu with another former Yellow Turban rebel, Pei Yuanshao, and became infamous as a warrior of great strength and skill. After encountering Guan Yu again on a mountain road, he swore his loyalty to the worthy general and was appointed to the rank of Guan Yu's weapon bearer. A skilled boatman, his talents were critical in helping achieve Guan Yu's water attack at the Battle of Fancheng. At Fancheng, he managed to capture Pang De during the flooding of the castle. He committed suicide after learning that Guan Yu and Guan Ping had been captured and executed by Sun Quan's forces.

Zhou Cang sometimes appears as a door god in Chinese and Taoist temples, partnered with Guan Yu. He also sometimes accompanies Guan Yu in his role as a war god, together with his adopted son Guan Ping. Zhou's face is portrayed as coal black, in contrast to Guan Yu's red and Guan Ping's white.