Crocodile Sacrificial Platform

Crocodile Sacrificial Platform

Legend has it that Han Yu held a ceremony here to drive away the crocodile menace. Today, the original site features the Crocodile Ferry Autumn Wind Pavilion and the Crocodile Sacrificial Platform.

On the mid-section of the northern embankment of the Han River, outside Chaozhou city, there is an ancient ferry crossing called Crocodile Ferry.

In 1987, the Crocodile Ferry Autumn Wind Pavilion and the Crocodile Sacrificial Platform were built on the original site. The Crocodile Ferry Autumn Wind Pavilion is constructed of stone and bronze, featuring four pillars, a four-cornered double-eave design, and is set across two-tiered platforms, with the upper pavilion above the lower platform, surrounded by stone railings and corridors, exuding dignity and elegance. Inside the pavilion is the Crocodile Sacrificial Platform, inscribed with plaques reading “Crocodile Ferry Autumn Wind” and “Crocodile Sacrificial Platform.” One couplet reads: “The Buddha’s relics returned, adding weight to the land and sea; the crocodiles departed, clarifying the rivers henceforth.” Another pillar couplet says: “How could the stream stones be evil? The land rejoices in the surname Han.” Within the pavilion stands a lifelike stone crocodile, upon whose back rests a large stone stele. The front of the stele is inscribed with Han Yu’s complete “Text for Sacrificing to the Crocodiles,” while the back bears the “Inscription of the Crocodile Ferry Pavilion.” Every autumn, the scenery here is most enchanting.

Crocodile Ferry Autumn Wind — One of Chaozhou’s Eight Scenic Spots

With its broad river surface, sailing boats, and flying wild geese, “Crocodile Ferry Autumn Wind” is counted among Chaozhou’s Eight Scenic Spots. In late spring, when kapok flowers are in bloom, a walk along the embankment allows you to experience the unique beauty of the Han River.

It is said that on the 25th day of the third lunar month, when Han Yu arrived in Chaozhou, he was deeply aware of the people’s suffering: “All say the wicked creek is home to crocodiles that devour the people’s livelihoods, and thus the people are impoverished.” After personally investigating, on the 24th day of the fourth lunar month, he wrote the “Text for Sacrificing to the Crocodiles” and ordered his subordinate Qin Ji to slaughter a pig and a sheep. At the spot where crocodiles frequently appeared on the mid-section of the northern embankment, they lit incense and candles, recited the sacrificial text, and gave the crocodiles a deadline to leave for the sea. At the time, all of Chaozhou turned out en masse, the crowd silent as they listened to Han Yu sternly declare: “Crocodiles, crocodiles, Han Yu has been dispatched by imperial decree to serve as prefect here, to protect the land and its people. Yet you bring harm to the populace. For now, considering your ignorance, I shall not punish you—but you are to leave for the ocean within three days. If not in three, then five; if not in five, then seven. Should you still refuse after seven days, severe punishment will follow without mercy.” With that, he burned the sacrificial text along with the pig and sheep, casting them into the stream as an offering to the crocodiles. Legend has it that that very night, the wicked creek was struck by fierce storms, thunder and lightning; within days, the waters receded completely, forcing the crocodiles to migrate to the sea some five or six li away. Thereafter, the creek, once notorious for its crocodiles and known as “Wicked Creek,” was renamed as “Will Creek” (Yi Xi), according to the people’s wishes. The place where the crocodiles were sacrificed came to be called “Han’s Bank”; the ferry, “Crocodile Ferry”; and from then on, the Crocodile Creek became known as the “Han River.”