The Big and Small Five Wells

The Big and Small Five Wells

In Jinggangshan, there are five villages, each nestled in a basin-like valley, hence they are named Big Well, Small Well, Middle Well, Upper Well, and Lower Well, collectively known as the “Big and Small Five Wells.” Why do these villages sit in such basin-like formations?

According to local elders, in ancient times, lotus flowers did not exist in the human world—only the Queen Mother of the West’s Jade Pool had them. These were celestial treasures, generally unseen by ordinary immortals. Only the Jade Emperor, Taibai Jinxing (the Planet Venus), the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King Li Jing, the Supreme Old Lord, and other high-ranking, virtuous, and meritorious beings who were permitted entry into the Queen Mother’s domain could behold them.

There was a pair of immortal lovers who had secretly cherished each other for many years but dared not reveal their feelings, as romantic relationships and unauthorized marriages among immortals were strictly forbidden by heavenly law. Punishments ranged from flogging to eternal imprisonment in the Celestial Jail. The couple envied the harmonious life of mortal men farming and women weaving, and longed to descend to the human world. They had been searching for an opportunity to elope and fulfill their dream of being together, but had never succeeded.

One day, the Queen Mother held a grand Peach Banquet in the Jade Pool to entertain the leaders of all celestial realms. Upon receiving their invitations, these leaders set off to attend the feast. Seizing what they believed to be a once-in-a-lifetime chance, the immortal lovers decided to sneak down to the human world. But then they thought, if they were going to the mortal realm, they should do something meaningful. After much deliberation, they hit upon an idea: to steal lotus seeds and sow them on Earth. This would not only beautify the human world with lotus flowers but also provide edible lotus roots to improve people’s lives—a win-win act. Moreover, the banquet’s security would be lax, making it easier to sneak into the Jade Pool and steal the seeds.

Without hesitation, the male immortal transformed himself into an old man with a long, flowing white beard, leaning on a cane, and blended into the group of celestial leaders entering the Jade Pool. Distracted by the delicious peaches, none of the other immortals noticed him. When everyone was seated and about to enjoy the peaches, the male immortal slipped away unnoticed and headed straight for the lotus pond.

The fairies guarding the lotus pond had been assigned to entertain guests, leaving the area completely unattended. Overjoyed, the male immortal reached out to pluck the lotus seeds. The previous day’s heavy rain had left five differently sized dewdrops glistening on the lotus leaves. When the dewdrops fell to the ground, they turned into five radiant, jewel-like water droplets.

The male immortal quickly grabbed the water jewels and the lotus seeds, fled the Jade Pool, and escaped to the human world with the waiting female immortal.

Soon after the male immortal left, the fairy guarding the lotus pond returned. Noticing wet footprints by the pond and realizing one lotus flower was missing, she panicked, fearing a theft. Without delay, she flew to report the incident to the Queen Mother.

The Queen Mother, who had been joyfully entertaining the celestial guests, was furious upon hearing the news. She immediately dispatched eighteen legions of divine soldiers and generals to search everywhere and intercept the thieves. These celestial enforcers charged through the heavens with terrifying roars, plunging the entire realm into chaos with flying sand and rolling stones.

Meanwhile, the eloping lovers had just descended halfway to the human world when they suddenly saw the clear sky darken, clouds gather, thunder rumble, and faint cries of battle echoing in the distance. The male immortal said, “It’s bad—we’ve been discovered by the Queen Mother!” The female immortal, terrified, was at a loss for what to do.

Just as they were panicking, the divine soldiers and generals surrounded them. The leading general, sword in hand, bellowed, “You wicked lovers, how dare you steal the Queen Mother’s sacred lotus seeds and flee to the mortal realm? Hand over the treasures now, surrender, and you might avoid death!”

Seeing the situation, the male immortal knew that surrendering the lotus seeds would spare his life—but he would be imprisoned in the Celestial Jail, tortured for eternity, and never be free. Since he was determined to do something good for the human world, he refused to give up. Unafraid of death, he scattered the sacred lotus seeds across the mortal realm. From that moment on, lotus flowers bloomed on Earth. Because the seeds landed in the area now known as Jinggangshan, the region came to resemble a giant green lotus flower: the overlapping mountain ranges became the petals, Ciping (the central town) formed the heart of the flower, the trees in Ciping its stamen, and the pools scattered throughout the mountains the dewdrops on the lotus leaves.

After scattering the lotus seeds, the male immortal also threw down the five differently sized water jewels. These became five wells of varying sizes. Their waters were crystal-clear, greenish-blue, cool in summer and warm in winter, sweet to the taste. No matter how severe the drought, the wells never dried up, continuously supplying fresh water that irrigated the fertile fields below. To honor the immortal lovers, locals named the five wells Big Well, Small Well, Middle Well, Upper Well, and Lower Well.

Later, the Queen Mother learned of the five wells and ordered the Dragon King of the East Sea to cut off their water source. As a result, the wells dried up and were overgrown with wild grass and trees. Gradually, refugees from Guangdong settled in the area. Unaware of the wells’ celestial origins, they called the place Big Village, Small Village, Middle Village, Upper Village, and Lower Village. Many years later, a close friend of the male immortal passed through the region. Upon learning the villages were renamed, he told the settlers the story of the immortal lovers. Touched by the tale, the villagers reverted to calling the place the Big and Small Five Wells. This name has been used ever since.