Bronze Ox

A bronze ox set on bluestone wave-lined pedestal overlooks the east shore of Kunming Lake. The ox, cast in the image of a live creature back in 1755, is said to possess flood control powers. Da Yu, the legendary master in floods prevention, would commit an iron ox into the water on completion of every of his projects. It has become customary since Tang Dynasty (618-907) to line the edge of waterways with oxen. Hence this bronze ox was upon the bank, too. This Bronze Ox, sitting beside the water and overlooking the harmonious and enchanting lake scenery, was rather imposing. The Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799) had personally dedicated this particular bronze ox. On the back of the ox is an 80-character-posy in seal character -"Golden Ox Inscription" by him.

About the origin of the bronze ox, there is another story. The Emperor Qianlong compared Kunming Lake to the Milky Way, and himself as Jade Emperor. According to the Chinese legend “Niulang (cowboy) and Zhinu (weaver girl)”, the emperor built this bronze ox to symbolize the cowboy and a marble tablet carved “Zhi Geng Tu” (picture of farming and weaving) as a sign of the weaver girl. But this tablet was lost in the sack of the Eight-Power Allied Force. During the extension of Summer Palace, the Empress Cixi ordered to build Zhinu Pavilion near Marble Boat where faced the bronze ox across the lake. This arrangement cleverly implied the touching story of Cowboy and Weaver Girl.

This bronze ox, by adopting realist approach, has become an integral part of the surrounding environment. It is the largest of its kind in existence in China, reflecting the high casting level of ancient China. Today, many visitors in Summer Palace would like to have a photo taken with this “old ox”, and this vividly molded bronze ox has become an important human landscape in the park.