Stone Sentinel Maze
Encyclopedia
The Stone Sentinel Maze was an array of rocks and boulders thought to be conjured by the Three Kingdoms
period strategist Zhuge Liang
using the concept of the bagua. The formation was located on Yufu Shore (魚腹浦) by the Yangtze River
near present-day Baidicheng, Chongqing
, China
, where supposed ruins of the array exist. In folklore, when the Yangtze River rises in summer, the formation is submerged, but in autumn, the array resurfaces, with the rocks and boulders still left intact in their original positions.
In Luo Guanzhong
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
, after the Battle of Xiaoting
in 222, the Eastern Wu
general Lu Xun
stumbled across the maze while pursuing the fleeing Liu Bei
. Lu Xun entered the formation and lost his way inside. He was eventually guided out of the labyrinth by Huang Chengyan
, Zhuge Liang's father-in-law.
, as Lu Xun
neared Baidicheng, he felt a strong enemy presence in the area and alerted his army to a possible ambush. He sent scouts ahead, who reported that the region was deserted except for some scattered piles of rocks. The bewildered Lu Xun asked a local, who told him that qi
("energy") started emerging from the area after Zhuge Liang arranged the rocks there. Lu Xun personally inspected the area and decided that the array was only a petty display of deception. Hence, Lu Xun led a few horsemen with him into the maze, and as he was about to exit, there was a strong gust of wind. At that moment, dust storms overshadowed the sky and the rocks appeared to become valleys; mountainous piles of dirt emerged and the roar of thunder rocked the skies while the waves of the nearby Yangtze River
sounded like the clashing of swords and beating of war drums. Lu Xun exclaimed, "I've fallen into Zhuge's trap!", and attempted to escape from the labyrinth, but to no avail.
Suddenly, an old man appeared and guided Lu Xun out of the array. The old man later revealed himself to be Zhuge Liang
's father-in-law, Huang Chengyan
, and he explained to Lu Xun that the array was constructed based on the concept of the ba gua. Huang Chengyan told Lu Xun that Zhuge Liang had predicted that an Eastern Wu
general would stumble across the maze as he was constructing it, and had asked Huang not to lead the general out. Lu Xun immediately dismounted and thanked Huang Chengyan for saving his life. When Lu Xun returned to camp later, he exclaimed that he could never top the genius of Zhuge Liang.
, the rebel leader Zhang Xianzhong
stumbled across the maze while he was fleeing from the imperial army in Chengdu
. Through the guidance of an old man, Zhang Xianzhong led his troops into the maze and out. The pursuing imperial forces charged into the array. Suddenly, mist shrouded the area and the piles of dirt appeared to be hills and valleys. The imperial soldiers exhausted themselves over the night by attempting to escape but only at daybreak did they realize that they were actually charging at piles of dirt.
was captured by the People's Liberation Army
(PLA). Nationalist
remnants hid themselves in the maze, attempting to sneak out at night. Upon moving however, dust storms surrounded the area and the sky darkened. Some soldiers attempted to steal carrots from the nearby farm, but the farmland appeared to be frozen. Finally, the starving soldiers surrendered to the PLA, saying that Zhuge Liang had haunted them.
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
period strategist Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era....
using the concept of the bagua. The formation was located on Yufu Shore (魚腹浦) by the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
near present-day Baidicheng, Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, where supposed ruins of the array exist. In folklore, when the Yangtze River rises in summer, the formation is submerged, but in autumn, the array resurfaces, with the rocks and boulders still left intact in their original positions.
In Luo Guanzhong
Luo Guanzhong
Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
, after the Battle of Xiaoting
Battle of Xiaoting
The Battle of Xiaoting, also known as the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Yiling and Xiaoting, was fought between the states of Eastern Wu and Shu Han in 222 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
in 222, the Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
general Lu Xun
Lu Xun (Three Kingdoms)
Lu Xun was a military general and politician of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He is best known for defeating Liu Bei's forces at the Battle of Xiaoting in 222.-Early life:...
stumbled across the maze while pursuing the fleeing Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
. Lu Xun entered the formation and lost his way inside. He was eventually guided out of the labyrinth by Huang Chengyan
Huang Chengyan
Huang Chengyan was a scholar from Longzhong commandery during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.Huang's wife was the sister of Lady Cai and Cai Mao...
, Zhuge Liang's father-in-law.
Stories surrounding the maze
The following stories are examples of the Maze's use as a location for Chinese historical events. While they may be based in truth, they have also been altered for the sake of storytelling.Lu Xun's encounter
In chapter 84 of the historical novel Romance of the Three KingdomsRomance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
, as Lu Xun
Lu Xun (Three Kingdoms)
Lu Xun was a military general and politician of the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He is best known for defeating Liu Bei's forces at the Battle of Xiaoting in 222.-Early life:...
neared Baidicheng, he felt a strong enemy presence in the area and alerted his army to a possible ambush. He sent scouts ahead, who reported that the region was deserted except for some scattered piles of rocks. The bewildered Lu Xun asked a local, who told him that qi
Qi
In traditional Chinese culture, qì is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts...
("energy") started emerging from the area after Zhuge Liang arranged the rocks there. Lu Xun personally inspected the area and decided that the array was only a petty display of deception. Hence, Lu Xun led a few horsemen with him into the maze, and as he was about to exit, there was a strong gust of wind. At that moment, dust storms overshadowed the sky and the rocks appeared to become valleys; mountainous piles of dirt emerged and the roar of thunder rocked the skies while the waves of the nearby Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
sounded like the clashing of swords and beating of war drums. Lu Xun exclaimed, "I've fallen into Zhuge's trap!", and attempted to escape from the labyrinth, but to no avail.
Suddenly, an old man appeared and guided Lu Xun out of the array. The old man later revealed himself to be Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era....
's father-in-law, Huang Chengyan
Huang Chengyan
Huang Chengyan was a scholar from Longzhong commandery during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.Huang's wife was the sister of Lady Cai and Cai Mao...
, and he explained to Lu Xun that the array was constructed based on the concept of the ba gua. Huang Chengyan told Lu Xun that Zhuge Liang had predicted that an Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
general would stumble across the maze as he was constructing it, and had asked Huang not to lead the general out. Lu Xun immediately dismounted and thanked Huang Chengyan for saving his life. When Lu Xun returned to camp later, he exclaimed that he could never top the genius of Zhuge Liang.
Zhang Xianzhong's encounter
During the late Ming DynastyMing Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, the rebel leader Zhang Xianzhong
Zhang Xianzhong
Zhang Xianzhong or Chang Hsien-chung , nicknamed Yellow Tiger, was a Chinese rebel leader who conquered Sichuan Province in the middle of the 17th century. Upon capturing it, he declared himself emperor of the Daxi Dynasty .According to Chinese chronicles, many scholars rejected that claim, so he...
stumbled across the maze while he was fleeing from the imperial army in Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
. Through the guidance of an old man, Zhang Xianzhong led his troops into the maze and out. The pursuing imperial forces charged into the array. Suddenly, mist shrouded the area and the piles of dirt appeared to be hills and valleys. The imperial soldiers exhausted themselves over the night by attempting to escape but only at daybreak did they realize that they were actually charging at piles of dirt.
Chinese Civil War
In 1949, the city of ChengduChengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
was captured by the People's Liberation Army
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
(PLA). Nationalist
Kuomintang
The Kuomintang of China , sometimes romanized as Guomindang via the Pinyin transcription system or GMD for short, and translated as the Chinese Nationalist Party is a founding and ruling political party of the Republic of China . Its guiding ideology is the Three Principles of the People, espoused...
remnants hid themselves in the maze, attempting to sneak out at night. Upon moving however, dust storms surrounded the area and the sky darkened. Some soldiers attempted to steal carrots from the nearby farm, but the farmland appeared to be frozen. Finally, the starving soldiers surrendered to the PLA, saying that Zhuge Liang had haunted them.
Cultural references
- The maze had been a subject for many ancient Chinese poets, such as Du FuDu FuDu Fu was a prominent Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty.Along with Li Bai , he is frequently called the greatest of the Chinese poets. His greatest ambition was to serve his country as a successful civil servant, but he proved unable to make the necessary accommodations...
and Lu YouLu YouLu You , was a Chinese poet of the Southern Song dynasty.-Early life and marriage:Lu You was born on a boat floating in the Wei River early on a rainy morning, October 17, 1125...
.
- The maze and site are the setting for The Small Stones of Tu Fu, a short story by Brian Aldiss published in 1978.
- The maze is featured in many video games based on the Three KingdomsThree KingdomsThe Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
era. For example, it is an inseparable element in the Battle of Yi LingBattle of XiaotingThe Battle of Xiaoting, also known as the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Yiling and Xiaoting, was fought between the states of Eastern Wu and Shu Han in 222 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
in Koei's Dynasty WarriorsDynasty Warriorsis a series of tactical action video games created by Omega Force and Koei. The award-winning series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, based loosely around the Chinese classical novel of the same name. The first game titled Dynasty Warriors,...
series.
- The Portal Three KingdomsPortal Three KingdomsPortal Three Kingdoms is the third Magic: The Gathering expansion of the Portal block, and the third starter level set. Like the other expansions in the Portal block, Portal: Three Kingdoms is designed for beginners to Magic. The setting is heavily based on the Chinese historical novel Romance of...
expansion set of the Magic:The Gathering collectible card game includes a card named "Eightfold Maze".
- In the 2008 historical film Red Cliff, based on the Battle of Red CliffsBattle of Red CliffsThe Battle of Red Cliffs, otherwise known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty, immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was fought in the winter of 208/9 AD between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan...
, the allies Liu BeiLiu BeiLiu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
and Sun QuanSun QuanSun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
deployed their troops in a formation based on the ba gua. Cao Cao's vanguard army was lured into the formation and suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the allied forces.