Iron Ox for Water Control

Iron Ox for Water Control

Introduction The Iron Ox for Water Control is located in the Sanhe Sluice Water Management Area. To thoroughly combat flooding, ancient people, guided by the philosophical concept of the Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth) overcoming one another, placed “nine iron oxen, two tigers, and one chicken” on the dike to subdue the waters. Nowadays, the tigers have returned to the forest, the bird has flown away, and only the honest iron oxen keep the Hongze Lake company day and night. The two surviving iron oxen each weigh over 4,000 kilograms, and their shoulders and ribs bear raised regular script inscriptions that read: “With Metal overcoming Water, the flood dragons hide; With Earth controlling Water, the turtle and snake yield. Casting rhinoceroses to guard the Huai and Yangtze regions, we forever eliminate the floods and repay our Emperor.”

Jiangsu, Huai'an