So who is the old man standing in front?
The old man in front of the five mountains and six beasts on the roof of the Forbidden City is a man riding impatiens.
Impatiens knight's tile nail is to fix the front tile. As we all know, the image of the phoenix is often used as a metaphor for virtuous people. Auspicious things such as phoenix and dragon often appear on royal buildings and objects, which fully shows that the royal family is different from the folk and has supreme status and power. Only the place where the emperor lives can use this glass to make a Phoenix Knight.
There are several folk sayings about the identity of people riding impatiens. The most popular saying is that he is the King of Qi.
During the Warring States Period, General Yan led five armies to attack Qi. Seeing that the situation was not good, he fled in a hurry. Yan caught up with him in a Okawabe. King Qi Min was about to commit suicide by drawing his sword when a phoenix fell from the sky and saved him. When King Qi Min saw the phoenix, he immediately seized a glimmer of life and climbed onto the phoenix's back. Phoenix left the place where King Qi Min was hunted with him, which is a kind of good luck.
Therefore, people later sculpted the fable of King Qi Min riding a phoenix, and put his image on the roof in order to borrow the legend that he flew by chicken for good luck. There is also a saying that at that time, Jiang Ziya's brother-in-law wanted to be promoted and made a fortune through Jiang Ziya's relationship, and Jiang Ziya always made excuses to shirk it. We should know that those who have the ability to promote and make a fortune are ambitious, while those who have no ability to promote and make a fortune are greedy. When Jiang Ziya saw that his heart was still alive, he told him that if you really climbed to the top of the mountain one day, you would definitely fall. It means that you are in the safest state now, and you can't control it if you climb up. Therefore, future generations put his image at the forefront of the eaves, reminding him of his current position and warning him that he would be shattered if he took another step forward.
There is another folk saying: The man riding Impatiens is the god of Jiang Ziya. Because Jiang Ziya didn't get the gods when he offered sacrifices to them, he just sat on the roof overlooking all beings and supervised them. He also helped the emperor supervise the civil and military officials above the Forbidden City. Don't do bad things in the Forbidden City!
Legend of three people riding impatiens: King Qi Min is a headstrong and pleasure-seeking king; And Jiang Ziya's brother-in-law has no great talent, but he still wants to take a senior position. He is a greedy role without self-knowledge. In contrast, only Jiang Ziya can be worthy of the good name "Riding Impatiens".
Is there a moral?
The "Five Ridges and Six Beasts" at the top of the temple evolved slowly from the ancient myths and stories of China, implying stability, evil spirits and good luck.
The roofs of temple buildings are generally decorated with animal-shaped tiles or animal-shaped ceramic glass, which is called ridged animals. Except for palaces and temples, people's houses can't be equipped with animal ridges unless they are famous. Only the official residence specially built by the emperor can the town residence have animal ridges. Animals' spines have a special emphasis. Also known as "the spine of musical instruments", it is used to show dignity and great significance. Often in large palaces, temples, or the roofs of Taoist temples, there are specific god beast decorations, which are "five ridges and six beasts".
Let's talk about the origin of Wuling.
Five ridges, literally as the name implies, are five roofs. Five ridges refer to big ridges, and four vertical ridges are called main ridges, which are indispensable for houses. Dragon beasts with straight ridges, also known as swallowing beasts, are lined with five squatting beasts on four vertical ridges, which add up to six beasts, so there are six beasts on five ridges, which are called "five ridges and six beasts". This is the town ridge beast, which means auspiciousness, town house, and it is also a beautiful decoration. At the same time, it plays the role of lightning protection and building protection. The wisdom of the ancients is unparalleled.
As we all know, the ancient buildings in China are mainly made of wood structures, but the decorative tile animal ridges are fire-proof and disaster-proof. In modeling, the joint of the two inclined ridges is tightly sealed with devouring animals, which can effectively prevent the leakage of rainwater and protect the house. There is a folk legend that the second son of the Dragon King is fighting for the throne, and the first one to swallow the roof is the king, so there is a beast swallowing it on the main ridge, which is fireproof, waterproof and beautiful.
In ancient times, people paid attention to geomantic omen, so this animal was said in folklore. In people's cognition, only the beast can exercise the mission of the town house.