Guo Xiaotian (pinyin: Guō Xiàotiān, jyutping: Gwok3 Siu3 Tin1, simplified: 郭啸天, traditional: 郭嘯天) was a Song dynasty1 martial artist and father of Guo Jing. Originally from Shandong,2 he settled in Ox Village in Lin’an Prefecture3 with his sworn brother Yang Tiexin after fleeing Jin rule. He died defending his family and principles against corrupt officials in 1205.
His name literally means roaring to Heaven, suggesting grand ambitions while evoking imagery of someone whose martial prowess or spirit reaches towards Heaven.
Biography
A descendant of Guo Sheng,4 the Star of Earthly Blessing from the Liangshan heroes, Guo Xiaotian inherited his family’s martial legacy including their renowned halberd techniques. Unable to endure Jin rule in their native Shandong, he and Yang Tiexin relocated southwards to Ox Village.
He married Li Ping and lived peacefully alongside Yang Tiexin’s family. Their tranquil life ended when corrupt minister Han Tuozhou5 ordered their arrest on false charges of rebellion. During the ensuing conflict with Duan Tiande’s6 troops, Guo was fatally wounded defending his sworn brother, dying from blood loss after his right arm was severed.
Personality and traits
Guo Xiaotian embodied traditional virtues of loyalty and righteousness. He was outspoken against corruption, particularly criticising Han Tuozhou’s appeasement policies toward the Jin Dynasty7. Despite living in dangerous times, he maintained his principles and refused to submit to corrupt authority.
His strong sense of brotherhood was evident in his relationship with Yang Tiexin, with whom he shared not just martial arts training but also daily life and political views. Their families lived as one, sharing meals and supporting each other through difficulties.
Martial arts abilities
Guo Xiaotian was highly skilled in his family’s halberd technique8, which he could adapt from long to short forms and transform from single to dual weapons. Even when bound and fatally wounded, his leg techniques remained formidable enough to seriously injure Duan Tiande.
He was also proficient in archery and possessed considerable strength and agility, traits that would later be inherited by his son Guo Jing.
Relationships
Li Ping
His wife Li Ping was pregnant with their son Guo Jing when he died. Their marriage, though brief, was loving and supportive.
Yang Tiexin
Yang Tiexin was his sworn brother and closest friend, with whom he shared both martial arts training and daily life. Their brotherhood remained unbroken until Guo’s death defending Yang.
Bao Xiruo
Bao Xiruo was Yang Tiexin’s wife and regarded as a sister-in-law. Their families lived in close harmony, sharing meals and supporting each other.
Behind the scenes
Guo Xiaotian’s character serves several important narrative functions in The Legend of the Condor Heroes. His death early in the novel establishes themes of loyalty, justice and resistance against corruption that run throughout the story. His martial arts legacy and principled nature strongly influence his son Guo Jing’s character development.
Portrayals
- 1976 series – Kenneth Tsang
- 1977 movie – Yen-Tsan Tang
- 1983 series – Chu Tit-Wo
- 1988 series – Howie Huang
- 1993 series – Li Feng
- 1994 series – Savio Tsang
- 2003 series – Li Duo
- 2008 series – Ren Tianye
- 2017 series – Shao Bing
- 2024 series – Yan Jie
 Chu Tit-Wo (1983) |  Ren Tianye (2008) |
External links
Footnotes
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宋朝 – Sòng Cháo. A Chinese dynasty that ruled from 960 to 1279. See Wikipedia. ↩
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山东 – Shāndōng. A coastal province in Eastern China. See Wikipedia. ↩
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临安 – Lín’ān. Modern-day Hangzhou, capital of the Southern Song dynasty. See Wikipedia. ↩
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郭胜 – Guō Shèng. One of the 108 Heroes of Water Margin. See Wikipedia. ↩
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韩侂胄 – Hán Tuōzhòu. A corrupt minister of the Southern Song Dynasty. See Wikipedia. ↩
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段天德 – Duàn Tiāndé. A military officer under Han Tuozhou. ↩
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金朝 – Jīn Cháo. A dynasty founded by the Jurchen people that ruled northern China from 1115 to 1234. See Wikipedia. ↩
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长柄刀法 – Chángbǐng Dāofǎ. Literally “long-handled blade technique”. ↩