Inside the Golden Hall, there is a black warrior

Under the incense table in the Golden Hall stands a vividly shaped copper-cast black tortoise with a snake entwined, commonly known as the Two Tortoise and Snake Generals. It was made in the 14th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty. It measures 0.53 meters in length, 0.34 meters in width and 0.49 meters in height. There are currently various explanations for the image of the tortoise and snake entwining, such as the totem worship theory, the star worship theory, the true martial essence theory, the theory of the two generals of water and fire, the theory of true Wu's stomach and intestines becoming essence, and the theory of the True Wu Emperor's mount, etc. These are all phenomena of cultural evolution in the long course of history. How should we understand the unique interwoven shape of turtles and snakes in Wudang Mountain? Some experts believe that it originated from the northern constellations (Xiuyin) in ancient astrology and was imagined and depicted as the image of a turtle and a snake entwining, known as Xuanwu. Later, it evolved into the personified Zhenwu and eventually became the Taoist deity - Zhenwu Emperor. All other expressions are extended variations. It is worth noting that the image of the tortoise and snake entwined, which was created by the Ming imperial family, was already known as the original form of the "Water and Fire" generals at that time, meaning it had become a valiant subordinate of the Great Emperor Zhenwu. The "Great Mountain Taihe Mountain Annals" compiled in the 35th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty records: "During the Chenghua and Hongzhi periods of the Ming Dynasty, many imperial flag-bearers, sword-bearers and water and fire generals were sent to Wudang Mountain for enfeoffment." Among them, there are also personified copper cast statues of the Water and Fire Generals, which are now preserved in the Zixiao Palace of Wudang.