For more than 170 years, no one has dared to steal the sword hanging beneath this ancient bridge. What is the reason behind this?
The ancient bridge is located in Yuexi Village, in the city of Tunxi, Guizhou Province (China). The bridge is named Wan’an, constructed in the 29th year of the Daoguang era (which corresponds to 1849). Wan’an Bridge is a handcrafted stone bridge, measuring 40 meters in length and 6 meters in width.
However, underneath the bridge hangs a mysterious sword approximately 2 meters long made of iron chain. Local residents refer to this sword as the “Dragon Sword”, which has a history of over 170 years. They believe that this ancient sword has prevented floods from rising too high. Even when floodwaters rise, they never submerge this bridge.
In ancient times, the river flowing through Yuexi Village often experienced high water levels during the rainy season, causing flooding. This not only damaged crops and farmland for residents on both sides of the river but also made transportation difficult. Many unfortunate individuals were swept away by the floodwaters or faced tragic accidents.
The stone bridge built in 1849 in Guizhou Province (China).
To address this issue, the residents of Yuexi Village worked hard to construct Wan’an Bridge and hung a long sword beneath it. Remarkably, since the construction of Wan’an Bridge, the river has never risen above the bridge’s structure. The bridge has remained steadfast even during the most severe rainy seasons.
The mysterious sword has been hanging beneath the bridge for over 170 years.
Mr. Tran, a local resident in his 70s, shared that he lives near the ancient bridge and has heard from his ancestors that in ancient times, the bridge’s location was a vital transportation route. However, every time floods occurred in the summer and autumn, the river would rise, making life difficult for people on both banks, with many being swept away by the current.
“Since the bridge was built, this ancient sword was forged and hung beneath the stone arch. As far as I remember, no matter how high the river rises, it has never submerged the stone bridge. This bridge is still in use today,” Mr. Tran added.
What is the purpose of the mysterious sword hanging beneath the stone bridge?
The story of the stone bridge and the legend of the mysterious sword has been passed down for generations in Yuexi Village.
Mr. Li Lianxiang, a cultural and historical expert in Tunxi, stated that hanging the “Dragon Sword” beneath the stone bridge is a custom that has existed in many places in China.
According to popular folklore in China, hanging the “Dragon Sword” aims to slay the Jiaolong (water dragon). The ancients believed that water dragons often appeared beneath rivers and would damage the stone bridges built by humans. Therefore, hanging a sword beneath the bridge could serve as a deterrent or a significant threat to prevent water dragons from destroying the bridge.
However, this expert pointed out that this custom is essentially a form of superstition from ancient times and lacks scientific basis. The ancients often believed in this practice because building a stone bridge was no simple task.
It required significant labor, financial resources, and the hope of bringing better living conditions to the villagers. They hoped that the bridge, with the sword hanging from it, could endure for a long time to ensure safe passage for local residents during the rainy seasons.
The stone tablet near the bridge records the year of construction and the names of those who contributed to the construction costs.
The sword points down towards the river. Whenever there is wind, the sword sways gently from side to side. After more than 170 years, the sword has become rusty and corroded. Nevertheless, it is still relatively well-preserved and is regarded as a rare treasure of this village.
The story of the strange sword hanging on the stone bridge has piqued the curiosity of many tourists, prompting them to visit the ancient bridge to see it for themselves.
Interestingly, for over 170 years, although the ancient sword is considered a treasure hanging in the bridge’s structure, it has never been stolen. The exact reason remains unclear, but many locals believe that it is a “sacred” treasure that has helped the bridge remain sturdy over the years.
