In the 1940s, outside the west gate of ancient Puzhou City, Yongji City, Shanxi Province, when ships passed by, their bottoms were often scratched by hard objects. What the boatman didn't expect was that the hard object turned out to be the horns of a "cow". What is even more unexpected is that there are not only "cows" but also "people" under the water. It was not until 1989, after being immersed in water for more than a thousand years, that the Kaiyuan Iron Bull, also known as the Big Iron Bull of the Yellow River, finally saw the light of day again.
The location where Tieniu was discovered is on the east bank of the Yellow River outside the west gate of the ancient Puzhou City in Yongji City, where the historically famous Pujin Bridge is located. There are four iron bulls immersed in the water. Next to each iron bull is an iron man, like a herding bull. According to research by archaeologists, the Iron Ox was cast in the 13th year of Kaiyuan of the Tang Dynasty (725).
According to historical data, these four huge iron oxen were used to tie iron cables. The iron cables were connected to the boats to form the earliest, longest and largest Yellow River Floating Bridge on the Yellow River. , is an important link connecting the three provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Henan. The bridge was destroyed at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and was left unused for a long time. Later, due to the changes in the Yellow River, it was gradually buried by sediment.
Why is it the Yellow River Iron Ox that fixes the bridge cables instead of other animals? In addition to its role in fixing the cable bridge, the Iron Ox also has many functions. "The Book of Changes" says: "The ox is like Kun, Kun is earth, and earth is better than water." The ancients said: When soldiers come, they will block it, but when water comes, earth will cover it. The cast-iron cow placed on the river bank serves as a deterrent to the indiscriminate flooding of the Yellow River, symbolizing blocking floods, conquering flood hazards, and benefiting the people.
In ancient times, where were there zoos and the Internet like now? You can see any animal you want. In the minds of ordinary people, the old buffalo is a loyal and down-to-earth strongman. Who can tell us that at that time, what animal was more suitable for this duty than the cow in people's minds?
The animals that our ancestors knew at that time were all in the twelve zodiac signs. The animals that can be included in the twelve zodiac signs are the animals that people were most familiar with at that time. It is said that cats are all later species and have not been able to catch up in the ranking. The twelve zodiac signs are occupied by the rat. When any animal statue was built at that time, it was impossible to go beyond the twelve zodiac signs. Therefore, who else could She Tieniu choose to build such a large iron bridge cable? The main reason why big iron oxen are used to pull the iron cable bridge is that the oxen is a symbol of strength. The stable and peaceful image of the cow makes people look at ease and can calm people's emotions. When crossing the bridge, people saw the turbulent Yellow River water and felt a sense of fear. Then they saw the cows pulling the big iron ropes on both sides, which made people calm down instantly and feel relieved to cross the bridge.
The four large iron oxen on the Yellow River Ancient Road were built as iron piles to stabilize the cable bridge. Kaiyuan Tieniu, also known as Tang Dynasty Tieniu, is located fifteen kilometers west of Yongji City and west of Puzhou City on both sides of the Yellow River Ancient Road. There are four statues on each side. It was cast in the twelfth year of the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty. The bridge was destroyed at the end of the Yuan Dynasty and was left unused for a long time. It was called "the iron cow that controls the river". Due to the changes in the Yellow River, it was gradually buried by sediment. It is 51 meters away from the west wall of Puzhou City and 110 meters away from the west gate. The iron bull has its head in the west and its tail in the east, facing the river in two horizontal rows. Lying down, 1.5 meters high and 3.3 meters long, with eyes wide open and in a weight-bearing shape, the image is lifelike. There is a horizontal iron shaft behind the oxtail, 2.33 meters long, used to tie the bridge cables. There is a cast-iron Hu man with a high nose and deep eyes on both sides of the cow, making a pulling shape. The part that is exposed above the ground is 1.5 meters high and the shoulder width is 0.6 meters. The four cows have different shapes and are basically the same size. According to calculations, the iron cows each weigh about 30 tons. There are chassis and iron pillars underneath, each weighing about 40 tons. There is an iron mountain between the two rows.
So why did people in the Tang Dynasty build iron oxen to pull iron ropes? There are several reasons for this.
1. Oxen are down-to-earth, stable and honest.
Oxen are stable, honest, diligent and hard-working. People have a sense of trust in their hearts. The stakes are full of confidence. I directly feel that a strong bull is pulling me, it’s okay! Cross the bridge with confidence.
2. In the ancient Yin and Yang Five Elements, Ox belongs to earth, and earth can overcome water.
In ancient times, there was a saying that yin, yang and five elements were mutually reinforcing and restraining each other. Earth can restrain floods, which is what the ancients said: "When soldiers come, they will stop the water and come to the earth to gather water." This powerful ox has a stable, down-to-earth and powerful temperament, and its five elements belong to the earth. It can control floods and is the most trustworthy mascot.
3. Cattle are a symbol of farming culture
In ancient times, life was dominated by farming, and agricultural production played a decisive role. Cattle are an important tool for agricultural production and represent the future of agricultural development. Therefore, the big iron ox here indicates another meaning, that is, everything is for the development of agriculture, and the same is true for the iron chain bridge. Based on the above analysis, the use of oxen to pull the big iron rope here has far-reaching practical and symbolic significance. No animal is more suitable for pulling the iron ropes of an iron bridge than an ox.
In addition to its role in fixing the cable bridge, the Iron Ox also has many functions. "The Book of Changes" says: "The ox is like Kun, Kun is earth, and earth is better than water." The ancients said: When soldiers come, they will block it, but when water comes, earth will cover it. The cast-iron cow placed on the river bank serves as a deterrent to the indiscriminate flooding of the Yellow River, symbolizing blocking floods, conquering flood hazards, and benefiting the people.
In fact, why it is a cow has been a mystery for thousands of years. There have been many disputes in history. It is nonsense to say that cows belong to the earth and are strong. Looking through ancient books, there are iron blocks made from elephants and tigers. Later, the builders of the pontoon learned from the lessons of the ancients. Use iron pillars instead. Now no one will wonder why they are iron pillars. You have to use your brain and think more about everything, otherwise you will believe me if I make up a few nonsense words. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Because the overall temper of cattle is They are the most honest and steady people, plowing the fields for people and not afraid of hard work. In the hearts of farmers, cattle are the treasures of the family, a good helper in the family's farming, and the hope of a good harvest. The strength of cattle is also the greatest among domesticated livestock. They are well-behaved, loyal and powerful...
The original purpose of controlling floods was to protect farmland from being flooded, causing a loss of food harvests. Food is the basis of human life. Fundamentally, it also indirectly guarantees the stability of this country’s political power. Therefore, in ancient times, iron oxen were used to control or suppress floods.
Definitely cannot use wild animals, because they are not tame to humans! Among domestic animals, the best and most valued in ancient times were cattle!
Many people say that no animals have been seen in ancient times. Nonsense. The Classic of Mountains and Seas and the Nine Sons of the Dragon were not thought up by the ancients. Zhaozhou Bridge is also a masterpiece of the ancients. It turned out that finances were tight and allotments were allocated to build the bridge. These are all very cautious things, not to mention the floods in the Yellow River. The only reason is that the cow is earth, and earth controls water, that's all.
Ox, among the twelve ancient zodiac animals, was named Chou, symbolizing the Holy Spirit who split the earth. things. Rat, the name, symbolizes the opening of heaven. Together they are: splitting the sky and splitting the earth.
The water of the Yellow River comes up from the sky and rushes to the sea never to return. From the perspective of Tao culture, the sea is the Tao, and the Tao unites the three talents. The Yellow River is like one, heaven, earth, and human beings are the three talents. The bridge combines the three places to demonstrate the "Tao and virtue", which means: practicing Tao and using virtue. It reflects the profound application of Tang Tao culture. Chinese bridge culture focuses on the culture of "practicing morality and practicing morality". Its length, width, and height are all related to the auspicious numbers in the astronomical calendar. Therefore, the ancients had the custom of stepping on the bridge. The bridge became a beam across the natural chasm, also known as "heaven". The cow is used as a metaphor for the earth, and it shares the same heritage with people, showing an auspicious totem of the right time, place, and people.
Each animal in the twelve zodiac signs has a "name" purpose. For example: Tiger means "power", rabbit means "Tao (the three talents)". The artistic conception is to exercise authority (right) in a proper way. Since the animals' names have different meanings, and the ox is the earth, of course the only choice is the iron ox. This is the totem cultural effect of Taoist culture in Chinese history and cannot be replaced by other animals. Otherwise, the artistic conception of Tao culture in the history of Chinese history and cultural development will be lost.
"The Book of Changes" says: "The ox is like Kun, Kun is earth, and earth is better than water." "The water comes and the earth covers it" symbolizes blocking floods, conquering floods, and benefiting the people.
The Year of the Rat is about to pass, and next year will be the Year of the Ox. I wish you a good year in 2021! ! !
Among the twelve zodiac signs, "Ox" ranks second. In mythology, other animals of the zodiac have some objections to "Rat" ranking first, but the ranking of Ox is not the same as that of other zodiac animals. They have no objection!
The large iron ox found at the Pujin Ferry site on the Yellow River is called the Kaiyuan Iron Ox and is also called the Tang Dynasty Iron Ox. It was cast in the 13th year of Kaiyuan of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, the main function of the big iron ox was to fix the Pujin Floating Bridge.
During the Kaiyuan period, the economy in Puzhou developed rapidly. At that time, Puzhou City became one of the six largest cities in the country. However, Pujin Ferry had been using a bamboo cable boat bridge and it was in disrepair. It can no longer bear the passage of carriages and goods, and it is seriously unable to keep up with the pace of development. At that time, Li Longji, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, approved the reconstruction of Pujin Bridge with a stroke of his pen after hearing the petition.
Finally, the plan to build Pujin Bridge was finalized. The bamboo cables were changed to iron cables, and four huge iron oxen were used as locking piles. After the iron oxen were cast, they were placed on both sides of the bank, and iron cables were tied to their bodies, thus building the first fixed iron cable bridge on the Yellow River.
The historical task of Da Tieniu is to lock piles, and Pujin Bridge is an important link connecting the three provinces of Shanxi, Shaanxi and Henan. After being destroyed in the Yuan Dynasty, it was abandoned for a period of time, and was used again in the Ming Dynasty. It was completely silent until the Yellow River changed its course.
It was not until 1988 that, after a rigorous survey in Yongji County, these four iron bulls finally saw the light of day again. The largest iron ox weighed 72 tons and the smallest weighed 45 tons. This important archaeological achievement has attracted widespread attention from society.
Our country has been dominated by agriculture since ancient times. Farming is the main production activity, and cattle farming first appeared in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.
The use of cattle farming technology and iron tools greatly saved social labor force, expanded the scale of production, promoted the development of social productivity, and then promoted the change of the social system at that time, promoting the transformation of slave society into feudal society. control the transformation of social systems.
The history of cattle farming runs through the entire history of China for more than 2,000 years. Gradually, cattle became closely associated with farming.
The cattle culture came into being.
In ancient China, there was a traditional activity of "whipping the ox to welcome the spring" at the beginning of spring every year, which was used to wish for this year's harvest and even a better vision for the country's fortunes.
The custom of "whipping the spring ox" continues to this day
"Zhou Li·Yue Ling": "The unearthed ox is used to send away the cold air.
"
"Book of Han·Etiquette" says: "On the first day of spring...all the officials in the capital are dressed in green clothes, and all the officials in the prefecture, county and county, down to the fighting orders, are wearing green grass and setting up green flags. The cattle and plowmen were given outside the door as a sign of good fortune to the people. "
In the first year of Jingyou's reign in the Song Dynasty, the "Tu Niu Sutra" was promulgated nationwide.
During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, whipping the Tu Niu at the beginning of spring was listed as a national celebration.
Qing Dynasty Kangxi's "Jinan Prefecture Chronicles: Sui Sui" said: "On the first day of spring, officials each have colorful sticks, and three of them hit the native cattle, which is called Spring Whip, to show their intention to encourage farmers. "
"Yixian Chronicle·Sui Sui" has the lyrics of "Spring Bull": "One whip means the wind and rain are smooth, two whips say the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and three whips say long live the emperor's spring." ”
It can be seen that whether it is ordinary farmers or rulers, good weather, peace and prosperity of the country and the people have been closely linked to cattle.
Rulers attach even more importance to cattle. .
There is no doubt about the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty. When Emperor Gaozu, who founded the Tang Empire, came to the throne, he issued the "Edict to Reduce the Use of Animals" for ancient sacrifices. The three animals of cattle, sheep and pigs were called "Tailao". It is called "Shaolao". It means that the country is in a primitive state and the people's livelihood is in decline. It needs to recuperate, and cattle are an important material for agricultural production, so the use of cattle in sacrifices must be reduced.
As we all know, China. When ancient emperors changed the Yuan Dynasty, they would grant a general amnesty to the whole world to show the emperor's great kindness, which meant that everyone with similar abilities would be acquitted. However, Emperor Zhaozong of the Tang Dynasty clearly defined the scope in the "Gai Yuan Tianfu Pardon Article", but only ten people were allowed to be pardoned. The five evil deeds include slaughtering cows to make money, making poison together, planning to kill people, and committing robberies while armed with weapons. Officials have stolen stolen goods, and they also abuse their reputations, pretend to be high-ranking officials and prisoners, and in prisons, officials use their feelings. In cases of injustice, regardless of whether the stolen goods were stolen or not, there is no limit to the original exemption.
"Slaughtering cows to make money" literally means killing cows and making counterfeit money. It can be seen that killing cows was already exempted in the Tang Dynasty. It’s a serious crime!
The one mentioned at the beginning is similar to the Ox in the Chinese Zodiac.
Why is the Ugly Ox in the Chinese Zodiac? Could it be the Ugly Ox?
There are two opinions.
First, the zodiac Ox corresponds to the second "ugly" of the twelve earthly branches, so it ranks second and is called It is called "Chou Ox". According to the different years of birth of Ox people, the zodiac Ox can be divided into Yichou Ox, Ding Chou Ox, Jichou Ox, Xin Chou Ox and Guichou Ox.
, we know that cattle have made an indelible contribution to agriculture since ancient times. Feeding cattle is also a major event for farmers. During the ugly time (one to three o'clock), farmers will get up to feed cattle, which has become associated with the ugly time. "Ugly Cow".
In ancient times, people used cows as totems.
"The Classic of Mountains and Seas" records that Emperor Yan had the head of a cow. In fact, his tribe used cows as their totems. .
"Historical Records" records: Emperor Yan "originated from Lieshan and lived in Jiangshui" and was the leader of the Jiang clan.
In ancient times, he lived in the early Yangshao cultural stage. Emperor Yan led his tribe to nomadic fishing and hunting along the river in the northwest, and later to the Central Plains area in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. He used the smell of the ox tongue to taste grass, the sensitivity of the ox eye to identify valleys, and the strength of the ox to move mountains and create fields. .
The cow gradually became the protector of the people, originating from the ancient animal totem belief, and later evolved into the custom of worshiping the cow god since the Qin Dynasty. > In modern times, the meaning of cattle has become more profound. The poem in Lu Xun's "Self-mockery", "I bow my head and am willing to be a ruzi ox", shows the spirit of a ruzi ox.
The ruzi ox comes from "Zuo Zhuan": Qi Jinggong loves his young son very much. , once held a rope in his mouth, pretended to be an ox, and let his young son lead him to play. Lu Xun used this allusion to compare himself to being willing to contribute to the people as diligently and without regrets as an old scalper.
Have you started to like cows?
In ancient times, where were there zoos and the Internet like now? You can see any animal you want. In the minds of ordinary people, the old buffalo is a loyal and down-to-earth strongman. Who can tell us that at that time, what animal was more suitable for this duty than the cow in people's minds? The animals that our ancestors knew at that time were all in the twelve zodiac signs. The animals that could be included in the twelve zodiac signs were the animals that people were most familiar with at that time. It is said that cats are all later species and failed to catch up with the twelve zodiac signs and were occupied by rats. location. When any animal statue was built at that time, it was impossible to go beyond the twelve zodiac signs.
Therefore, who else could She Tieniu choose to build such a large iron bridge cable?