Shenlu, Ming Shisanling, Beijing 090411 ©Ingrid Booz Morejohn
On Saturday I took my group to the Spirit Way at the Ming Tombs north of Beijing. Since I was there last year they have put up new signs explaining the layout of the tombs and the animals and human figures that are lined up along the Spirit Way that was meant to lead the emperor's soul back to the world beyond. I have always thought that the signs were perfectly fine, good English, clear picture, etc etc. The animal figures along the beautiful shenlu consist of a pair standing up (Standing Camel) and a pair crouching down (Prone Camel). A legend says that the two couples work together guarding the spirit of the emperor on his last journey and switch places in the middle of the night when it's time for a "change of guard".
Something wonky happened with the new translation it seems (probably put up for the "hoards of tourists" that the Beijing authorities "thought" were going to come for the Olympics in Aug 2008). The bad camel and the equally bad elephant are now in the Porn House. Naughty animals!
Hmmm...de har mer för sig om nätterna än vaktbytet alltså?! /Anki
ReplyDeleteJa, just det, där har vi förklaringen! Men då är det väl med högsta ämbetsmannen som håller i tyglarna kan tro...;-)
ReplyDeleteMwahahah, Porn Horse
ReplyDeleteWouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley! ...or maybe I would??!!
ReplyDelete