彩虹桥

Across the tranquil Inner Golden Water River, the Rainbow Bridge, or as it’s known in Chinese, 彩虹桥 (Cǎihóng Qiáo), beckons. This isn’t the Rainbow Bridge of Wuyuan. This is the Duanhong Bridge, also called the Broken Rainbow Bridge, nestled within the Forbidden City of Beijing. Its name, Duanhong, actually translates to “Broken Rainbow,” a name steeped in history. The Duanhong Bridge is much more than just a picturesque walkway. It carries whispers of a past shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Some historical accounts suggest this bridge predates the Forbidden City itself, possibly a relic from the Yuan Dynasty. Imagine emperors and their entourage crossing this very bridge, their footsteps echoing through the centuries. The Duanhong Bridge is about 19 meters long and 9 meters wide at its widest point. It’s paved with gleaming white marble, its elegance accentuated by ornately carved stone balusters. These balusters feature intricate dragon patterns, a symbol of imperial power. Atop these balusters sit stone lions, each with a unique and expressive posture. One of these lions is central to a particularly intriguing legend. It is said an emperor, deeply enamored with an imperial concubine, gifted her a jade ladle. While bathing, the concubine was repeatedly disturbed by a shadowy figure. One day, the figure revealed itself, and a startled concubine flung the jade ladle at it. The ladle, however, vanished. It was later discovered clutched in the hand of a stone monkey on the Duanhong Bridge. This monkey, according to the legend, had absorbed the essence of the heavens and earth, becoming an immortal spirit. It was this mischievous spirit that had been peeping at the concubine. The ladle could not be pried from the monkey’s grasp. Fearing the emperor’s wrath, the concubine ordered the stone monkey to be covered with cloth whenever the emperor approached the bridge. This tale gave rise to the saying, “The Monkey of Duanhong Bridge Was Covered,” a euphemism for concealing a secret. There’s another story linked to a covered stone lion, not a monkey. It concerns Emperor Daoguang and his ill-fated son, Yiwei. After a heated argument with his tutor, Yiwei threatened death upon the tutor should he become emperor. Emperor Daoguang, enraged, delivered a fatal kick to his son. Overcome with grief and guilt, the emperor later noticed a stone lion on the Duanhong Bridge that mirrored his son’s pained posture. The sight was too much to bear. He ordered the lion to be covered whenever he passed. This tragic tale, whispered among the common folk, transformed the lion into a monkey, as they were forbidden from entering the Forbidden City and seeing the truth for themselves. So, as you stand before the Duanhong Bridge, remember, it’s not merely a bridge of stone and marble. It’s a bridge of stories, a bridge echoing with the secrets and sorrows of emperors and concubines, forever etched in the heart of the Forbidden City.