The Mysterious Origins of the Forbidden Casket

Ancient Chinese history is filled with tales of forbidden objects and cursed artifacts, but few are as intriguing as the legendary “Dragon’s Saliva Casket.” According to legend, during the decline of the Xia Dynasty (c. 2070–1600 BCE), two divine dragons appeared in the royal palace, declaring themselves ancestors of the Bao clan—a vassal state in modern-day Shaanxi Province.

Faced with this supernatural visitation, the Xia king consulted diviners for guidance. Killing, expelling, or keeping the dragons all yielded ominous prophecies. The only favorable omen came when the diviners suggested collecting the dragons’ saliva—a substance believed to contain their essence. The dragons complied, leaving behind their mystical secretion before vanishing. The king sealed the saliva in a wooden casket, marking the beginning of a centuries-long curse.

The Unbroken Taboo: From Xia to Zhou

The casket passed from the Xia to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1046 BCE), where it remained unopened for over 500 years. The Shang, deeply superstitious, feared the consequences of breaking the taboo. However, when the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE) succeeded the Shang, their emphasis on ritual over superstition led to laxer safeguards.

The moment of reckoning arrived during the reign of King Li of Zhou (r. 877–841 BCE). A careless courtier opened the casket, releasing the long-contained dragon’s saliva. The viscous liquid spread uncontrollably, defying all attempts to clean it. In desperation, King Li ordered women to parade naked and shriek—a folk exorcism believed to repel evil spirits. The bizarre ritual backfired: the saliva transformed into a black lizard that fled into the palace, where it encountered a seven-year-old servant girl.

The Birth of a Dynasty’s Downfall

Years later, the girl, now fifteen, mysteriously became pregnant. Fearing disgrace, she abandoned her baby—a girl who would later be known as Bao Si. The infant was rescued by a couple fleeing royal persecution and raised in the state of Bao. As she grew, Bao Si’s beauty became legendary, catching the attention of a local noble who offered her to King You of Zhou (r. 781–771 BCE) as a peace offering.

King You, infatuated with Bao Si, neglected state affairs. Despite his lavish efforts—including tearing silk to amuse her—she remained stoic. Only when he falsely activated the kingdom’s beacon fires, tricking nobles into rushing to the capital, did she finally smile. The king repeated the deception, eroding trust in the emergency signal.

The Fall of the Western Zhou

The king’s folly reached its peak when he deposed his queen, a daughter of the powerful Shen clan, to elevate Bao Si. Enraged, the Shen allied with nomadic tribes like the Quanrong to rebel. In 771 BCE, when the beacons were lit for real, no one came. King You was killed, Bao Si vanished (likely by suicide), and the Western Zhou collapsed.

Cultural and Superstitious Legacy

The tale reflects ancient beliefs about forbidden knowledge and divine retribution. The dragon’s saliva symbolizes uncontrollable forces, while Bao Si embodies the “femme fatale” trope in Chinese historiography—a recurring motif seen in figures like Daji of the Shang. The story also critiques poor governance, illustrating how obsession and deceit can unravel even the mightiest dynasties.

Modern Relevance: Lessons from the Past

The Zhou’s downfall underscores timeless themes: the dangers of misplaced priorities, the erosion of trust, and the consequences of exploiting systems meant for survival. Today, the legend endures as a cautionary tale about power, superstition, and the unpredictable nature of fate.

From forbidden caskets to falsified alarms, the story of the dragon’s saliva remains one of China’s most haunting historical legends—a reminder that some doors, once opened, can never be closed.