Love Legend One: Doumen Cowherd and Weaver Girl Stone Carving

by langrentoh1 on 2012-02-15 11:21:31

Love Legend One: The Doumen Niulang and Zhinv Stone Carvings

Niulang and Zhinv Stone Carvings

Love Legend One: The Doumen Niulang and Zhinv Stone Carvings

Doumen Stone Carvings in Chang'an District: Birthplace of the Niulang and Zhinv Legend

As one of China's four great folk legends, the story of "Niulang and Zhinv" is not only well-known to women and children across China but has also spread widely in countries like South Korea, North Korea, and Japan, with a long and enduring history.

The legend of Niulang and Zhinv and the "Qixi" Festival originates from celestial star constellations. As early as the Western Zhou Dynasty, the "Book of Songs - Xiao Ya - Da Dong" mentions "Niulang" and "Zhinv." Here, the stars Zhinv and Qianniu are merely natural celestial bodies that evoke metaphorical associations without any specific storyline. At this point, they function as cultural elements entering the broader literary system. This "element" prepared the underlying cultural conditions for the creation of this legend. In Wang Yi's commentary on the "Chu Ci," Volume 17, "Shouzhi," it states: "Lift up the heavenly net to cover evil, draw the heavenly bow to shoot at treachery," expressing the union of Niulang and Zhinv.

Over time, Tianjin, Zhinv, and Qianniu were transformed into two deities. The stone carvings of Niulang and Zhinv by Kunming Lake were revered by the local populace as the "Stone Grandfather God" and "Stone Grandmother God." Gradually, people began to worship these statues with reverence and superstition, offering prayers. In the 14th year of Emperor Dezong's reign during the Tang Dynasty (AD 798), a temple dedicated to Zhinv was built with an altar for offerings, and its incense has remained strong for centuries, much like in Verona.

During the Wei-Jin and Southern-Northern Dynasties, the "Yueling Guangyi - July Ling" quotes Yin Yun's "Xiaoshuo": "East of the Milky Way resides Zhinv, daughter of the Heavenly Emperor. Year after year she works hard weaving celestial garments. Moved by her loneliness, the Heavenly Emperor allowed her to marry Niulang from west of the river. After marriage, she ceased weaving. Enraged, the Heavenly Emperor ordered her back east of the river, allowing them to meet once a year."

In Liang Dynasty, Zong Lin's "Jingchu Suishiji" quotes the "Taoist Scriptures": "Niulang married Zhinv, borrowing money for the wedding from the Heavenly Emperor. Long overdue in repayment, he was driven to live in a cave."

From the above historical origins, we can see that the "Niulang and Zhinv" legend originated in Doumen, Chang'an. First, "Xiao Ya" evolved from the name of a musical instrument to refer to a melody, which was popular in the area around the Western Zhou capital. The content reflected in "Xiao Ya - Da Dong" also comes from local folklore in this region. Therefore, the early cultural "elements" of the "Niulang and Zhinv" legend originate from the Doumen area of Chang'an. Second, the stone carvings of Niulang and Zhinv represent the original prototypes that inspired the legend, separated by a river and infused with elements of love. With the infusion of love, the originally unrelated stars and deities gained humanity, becoming a couple representing human emotions, thus creating an independent artistic life system. These two stone carvings still exist today and were listed as the first batch of provincial key protected cultural relics in 1956. They serve as the most convincing physical evidence that the "Niulang and Zhinv" legend originated in Doumen, Chang'an. Third, according to legend, the 17th day of the first lunar month is the wedding day of Niulang and Zhinv, while the seventh day of the seventh lunar month is their meeting day. On these two special days, the tradition of temple fairs continues in Doumen, Chang'an, and the Guanzhong region.

Transportation: Take a bus from Wequ Station bound for Ma Wang, passing through Doumen.