The World's Longest and Most Spiritual Snake Has Been Hidden in the Forbidden City for 600+ Years
As people who have visited the Forbidden City know, the sprawling palace and tower complexes, and the serene gardens, have made it a landmark. However, some older generations say that a giant snake is hidden within the Forbidden City, which many people don't believe. But the elderly people speak with conviction, and they say this snake is likely the longest and largest in the world, and it's already 6000+ years old.
It's hidden in the Forbidden City. The 'giant snake' that older generations refer to is actually the inner Jinshui River. Let me tell you, in ancient Chinese palace architecture, water represents wealth, and snakes are considered auspicious treasure-guarding creatures. Whether it's imperial or wealthy households, you'll always find a meandering river within. So, it's natural that many people would wonder, 'It's just a river, why is it called a snake?'
Many people say, 'Perhaps the asymmetry and irregularity of the Jinshui River's form particularly resembles a snake, which is why this legend originated.' Many people who have visited the Purple Forbidden City (Zhi Nu Quan) will find that the Jinshui River, when viewed closely, appears to be a snake winding through it. At the point where the river exits the Forbidden City, there's even a building deliberately constructed in a snake's head shape, totaling 500 meters in length.
This proves that the river was intentionally designed to resemble a giant snake. The snake enters the Forbidden City from the northwest corner, winds its way along the western route, exits from the southeast corner, passing through the Meridian Gate and the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Some people also believe that the snake is considered a guardian deity for the gates, protecting the entrance to the Forbidden City. This also shows that ancient rulers had immense power.
