Interesting decoding of the 'divine snake' protecting the Forbidden City

The river surrounding the Forbidden City is likened to a "divine snake", protecting the Chinese royal palace for hundreds of years from fires and floods.

The Forbidden City, also known as the Imperial Palace in Beijing, is the largest and best-preserved ancient architectural complex in China. It attracts millions of visitors every year.

When learning about the Forbidden City - a structure built from 1406 - 1420, many people are surprised by the secret of the "divine snake" that protected this palace for hundreds of years but not everyone knows about it.

The protective river surrounding the Forbidden City, called Jin Shui, is considered the "divine snake" protecting the palace. This river is divided into two parts: the main branch surrounding the Imperial Palace and the secondary branch flowing into the Forbidden City.

The Kim Thuy River originates from the west of Ngoc Tuyen Mountain, passing through Tich Thuy Lake, Hau Hai, Thap Sat Hai, and Bac Hai. On the mountain there is a large, slow-flowing stream that flows down to the plains below.

The name Kim Thuy also has an interesting meaning. In the Five Elements, Kim represents the West. This coincides with the river's position relative to the mountain.

The river protecting the citadel was dug and watered from the early Yongle years (1403-1424) of the Ming Dynasty under the name Dong Tu Ha (Dong Tu River). Located 20m from the citadel wall, Kim Thuy is 52m wide, 3,240m long, and 5m deep. This "divine snake" can store 542,880 m3 of water.

The "divine snake's" abundant water source was used effectively to put out fires when the palaces in the Forbidden City caught fire.

Because the river is 20 meters away from the Forbidden City wall, even if a major fire breaks out in the palace, the surrounding areas will not be affected. The reason is because the city wall is high and far away from the surrounding residential areas, separated by the Jinshui River, which helps block strong winds and prevent the fire from spreading.

In addition, the Jinshui River helps the Forbidden City avoid flooding. In the summer, Beijing often experiences heavy rains and even strong storms.

The protective river surrounding the Forbidden City helps drain water and prevent flooding. These factors have helped the palace survive for hundreds of years.

Readers are invited to watch the video : The strange love story of the Chinese Emperor with a palace maid 17 years older than him.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/giai-ma-thu-vi-ve-than-xa-bao-ve-tu-cam-thanh-post2149059814.html