Cultural Legends of Fairy Lake

More than 1,600 years ago, Gan Bao, a litterateur of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, recorded a tale in Records of the Search for Spirits, his classic collection of supernatural stories.

Long long ago, six or seven celestial maidens clad in feather robes soared across the sky, seeking an earthly paradise of their dreams. When they flew over Xinyu of Yuzhang Prefecture, they were instantly captivated by the fairyland scenery and descended to the mortal world, turning into graceful young maidens. They frolicked hand in hand, singing and dancing joyfully, and eventually took off their feather robes in delight.

A handsome young man happened to witness the scene. He was struck with awe and instantly fell in love. Quietly, he hid one of the feather robes before walking towards the maidens. Realizing what had happened, the fairies panicked, put on their robes in haste and flew back to heaven. The maiden whose robe had been stolen could not leave the mortal realm.

As an old saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. She turned around and looked at the approaching young man, and was immediately charmed by his elegant bearing. The two fell in love at first sight, embarking on a romantic romance between an immortal and a mortal. This is the earliest written record of "feathered immortals" in ancient Chinese books, and the story took place right here at today’s Fairy Lake.

Endowed with pure and clear water, Fairy Lake has nurtured generations of outstanding talents in Xinyu. Lu Zhao, the very first top scholar in the imperial examination in Jiangxi Province, was one of them. Diligent and studious from an early age, he often read late into the night by lamp light. His diligence won him the favor of Li Deyu, a great scholar of the time, who took him as his disciple.

After claiming the title of top scholar in the third year of the Huichang reign (843 AD), Lu Zhao held official positions both in the imperial court and local regions, earning a reputation for virtue and governance wherever he went. His writings were widely admired, bearing the literary style of Han Yu. Yang Yingyao, prefect of Yuanzhou, praised him: "The noble integrity and fine literary tradition of Yuanzhou all originated from Lu Zhao."

He authored numerous works throughout his life. Two of his masterpieces, Ode to Ocean Tides and Poems on Han Dyke, even won accolades from the emperor. His literary legacy has endured through ages. Today, the former Reading Terrace of Lu Zhao is well-preserved in the Fairy Lake Scenic Area for people to pay tribute.

Since Xinyu produced Jiangxi’s first top scholar, local scholars around Fairy Lake have strived for academic excellence and official success one after another. Throughout history, Xinyu has given birth to countless poets, writers, skilled folk artisans and remarkable figures.

Historical records feature many illustrious names: Wang Qinruo, a learned senior minister of the Song Dynasty; Yan Song, a powerful grand secretary of the Ming Dynasty; Liang Yin, a renowned Neo-Confucianist; Huang Zicheng, who chose death rather than serving a tyrant; Zhang Chunfa, a patriotic general of the Qing Dynasty; Fu Baoshi, a grand master of traditional Chinese painting in modern times; and David Ho, a distinguished medical scientist. These brilliant figures are a testament to the remarkable talents fostered by this land nourished by Fairy Lake.

Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era, an authoritative cultural compendium compiled mainly by Wang Qinruo, still exerts far-reaching influence today. Deeply influenced by the local culture of Fairy Lake, Wang Qinruo revered Taoism all his life. This belief helped him forge a unique academic style and a compassionate heart for the common people. Historians still speak highly of how he resolved a grain storage crisis in Bozhou during prolonged rainy weather when he served as the prefectural assistant.

Apart from compiling classics, Wang Qinruo left a wealth of influential works, including Records of Ritual Utensils, Regulations of Heavenly Script Rites, Pilgrimage of Constellations and Deities, Grand Taoist Rituals and Records of Judicial Affairs in the Tianxi Reign. These precious works have become invaluable cultural heritage for later generations.

"The land so rich in beauty has made countless heroes bow in admiration." Tourists wandering among the mountains and waters of Fairy Lake cannot help reciting this famous line. The breathtaking scenery has cultivated numerous men of letters through generations. Here they devoted themselves to study, purified their minds and received their earliest artistic edification.

Fu Baoshi, the great master of art nurtured by the cultural atmosphere of Fairy Lake, stands as a prime example. His paintings have repeatedly set new auction records worldwide, winning due respect for Chinese painters and traditional Chinese fine art. His artistic theories shine ever brighter as time goes by. Most commendably, he inherited the deep love for hometown shared by local literati. Though he lived and worked far away for most of his life, he never forgot his roots by Fairy Lake, and always marked his native place on his artworks.

Nowadays, many celebrities return home to visit relatives, while countless young talents leave their hometown to pursue dreams elsewhere. Yet no matter where they go, people nurtured by Fairy Lake will always hold their hometown and its beautiful scenery dear in their hearts.

Blessed by nature, the mountains here stay evergreen and the lake flows endlessly. Apart to spiritual and cultural cultivation, people of Xinyu have long attached great importance to agriculture and handicrafts, especially iron smelting. Remnants of ancient mining and smelting sites on Guishan Mountain and Fenghuang Mountain, as well as many place names related to this industry, still remain today.

It is no coincidence that Tiangong Kaiwu (Exploitation of the Works of Nature), the great scientific work written by Song Yingxing, was completed right here. Emphasis on self-cultivation as well as the development of craftsmanship, particularly metal smelting, form two core parts of Xinyu’s culture, shaping its spirit of transcendence, harmony and inclusiveness.

Fairy Lake is hailed as a mother lake and a lake of love. For thousands of years, romantic tales like the fairy maiden descending to the mortal world and marrying a local youth have been passed down here. This land has nurtured generations of outstanding figures and forged a unique and profound culture. Every scenic spot around the lake is permeated with romantic love and rich cultural heritage.

As the saying goes, seeing is believing. Come and visit Fairy Lake. Experience its exquisite beauty, profound breadth and gentle affection for yourself.