Ever heard the tale where a mirror transforms into mountains? 🪞🏔️ Let's journey back about 1,400 years to the vibrant era of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), where Princess Wencheng embarked on an epic adventure that still echoes across China's landscapes.
Setting off from Chang'an (modern-day Xi'an), Princess Wencheng was on a mission, traveling westward to the Tibetan region. Imagine the challenges she faced—treacherous terrains, unpredictable weather, and the sheer vastness of the land. But our princess was not just traveling; she was forging a link between two great cultures.
Legend has it that she carried a mystical \"sun-and-moon mirror\" 🌞🌜. As fate would have it, the mirror slipped from her hands, shattering upon the ground. The fragments didn't just disappear; they transformed into two majestic hills. These became known as Riyue Mountain, or the Sun-and-Moon Mountain.
This isn't just any mountain. Located where the Loess Plateau meets the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Riyue Mountain stands as a natural boundary between China's agricultural heartlands and the nomadic civilizations of the west. It's a place where stories come alive, and history and myth intertwine.
Today, a mural in Jokhang Temple in Lhasa vividly portrays Princess Wencheng's arrival. It's more than art; it's a snapshot of a time when a single journey could change the course of history.
So next time you think of epic quests and legendary artifacts, remember Princess Wencheng and her shattered mirror that created mountains. Sometimes, the most unexpected mishaps lead to the most breathtaking legends. 🌟
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
