20299-1

2023

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

The Yellow Turban Soldier in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* represents the peasant rebels who rose up against the Han Dynasty. They are a faceless representation of the masses rather than a distinct character. While individual soldiers aren't named, they first appear collectively at the start of the novel, around Chapter 1, as a manifestation of societal unrest under the leadership of Zhang Jiao.

Their presence signifies the widespread discontent and corruption that plagued the late Han Dynasty. Driven by famine, heavy taxation, and government neglect, these soldiers adopted the yellow turban as their symbol, signifying their devotion to the Taoist sect, Way of Peace. They challenged imperial authority, aiming to establish a new, righteous era. In Courage of the Three Kingdoms, a particular version of this narrative, the Yellow Turbans take on additional plot relevance.

Though ultimately defeated by the Han forces, their rebellion exposed the dynasty's weakness and paved the way for the warlords and the subsequent Three Kingdoms period. The Yellow Turban Soldier is a symbol of popular uprising and a catalyst for the major events in the novel.