The Kiln God Sacrificed His Life to Save His Father

In the past, when the Teochew Fengxi Dragon Kiln was ignited, the fireman would always light three incense sticks as a tribute to the Kiln God.

This custom has a poignant story behind it.

What is a Dragon Kiln?

Pottery is an ancient Chinese craft. “Dragon Kiln” is an archaic term that refers to an early method of firing ceramic vessels.

Speaking of Chinese pottery, pit kilns were already in existence in China around 3000 BC, firing at temperatures of around 1200°C. By the Shang Dynasty (roughly the early 17th to 11th centuries BC), semi-ceramic, semi-porcelain kilns with even higher firing temperatures had appeared.

Structure of a Dragon Kiln

A dragon kiln is built on a hillside, at an angle of 10 to 20 degrees to the ground, resembling a long dragon ascending the mountainside. It consists of three sections: the head, the bed, and the tail.

The head has a smaller cross-section, which allows for concentrated heat at the start of firing, facilitating combustion.

The middle section of the kiln has the largest cross-section. The kiln’s tail tapers, and its arched roof is curved, utilizing the principle of air convection.

Dragon kilns use firewood as fuel, and when fired, they resemble a fiery dragon from a distance, hence the name.

Dragon Kilns in China

Dragon kilns have existed in China since the Warring States Period, over 2,000 years ago. They can be found in Teochew (Fengxi), Fuzhou, Shiwan, Dapu, and other places. Dragon kilns have an exceptionally large capacity, capable of firing tens of thousands of objects at a time.

The playful emperor and the overbearing official

Legend has it that long ago, the emperor wanted to play with goldfish, so he ordered his ministers to search for a large black jar. The ministers led their men to Teochew, a renowned potter.

The magistrate summoned Cheng Bo, Fengxi’s most renowned kiln maker, and ordered him to create a large black jar within three months.

If he succeeded, he would be rewarded handsomely. If he failed, his head would be brought to the court. Cheng Bo said he had only made bowls, plates, and utensils, not large black jars.

The magistrate replied, “I don’t care. Just remember that the three-month deadline is ninety days.”

The Fire God Appears in a Dream

Master Cheng returned home, filled with worry, and lived alone in his workshop, trying to make large black jars. However, each time he fired a large black jar, it turned into a giant cake of earth.

The three-month deadline was approaching, and the last glimmer of hope lay in the last kiln. Master Cheng, exhausted, dozed off on the firewood after lighting it. He dreamed that the Fire God came to him and said, “Master Cheng, to make a large black jar, you must carry a boy and throw him into the chimney at the end of the kiln.”

Arrangements for the Afterlife

After waking up, Master Cheng recalled the words of the Fire God. But where could he find the boy? Even if he found one, he couldn’t bear to throw him down the chimney to burn him alive!

Master Cheng instructed his apprentice to carefully light the fire. He returned home to explain his final arrangements to his wife, prepared to be killed if he failed in his mission. He recounted the events in detail. His wife wept bitterly, her cries waking the youngest son in bed.

Clever kid killed himself

The master’s wife gave birth to nine children. Only the ninth child, lying in the bed, survived. He was nine years old this year. Despite his youth, he was intelligent and clever, and the old couple treated him like their darling.

The youngest son heard his parents’ words clearly, but he didn’t interrupt and continued to pretend to sleep. Master Cheng finished giving instructions for his posthumous arrangements, checked on his son, and returned to the kiln.

The master’s wife, overcome with grief, also fell asleep.

The youngest son secretly got out of bed and ran to his father’s dragon kiln. He quietly climbed to the top of the chimney and jumped down.

When the master’s wife awoke, she couldn’t find her son. Fearing he had overheard her husband’s words and done something foolish, she hurried back to the kiln. But even after shouting and running, she couldn’t find him.

The large black jar finally fired successfully

After the dragon kiln flame went out, Master Cheng opened the door and took a look.

Ah! This time, a large, round black jar had been fired.

The jar was black with a hint of red, a truly beautiful sight.

He was startled and delighted, then suddenly thought of his missing son. He cried out in pain and fainted.

Before he could revive the man, the magistrate arrived with the emperor’s ministers. Seeing the large black jar, they were overjoyed and carried it away, heading to the capital to claim their reward.

The Kiln God Appears in a Dream

After the large black vat was carried away, Master Cheng found his son’s ashes. The couple missed their son and cried day and night.

One night, the son appeared in his dream to his father, saying, “Dad, Mom, don’t be sad. The God of Fire has appointed me the Kiln God, in charge of all the dragon kilns in the world. Tell the uncles who work the fires that from now on, whenever they light three incense sticks, I will come to their aid and bless them to earn gold and silver from their kilns.”