The Goddess Who Cast The Bell

 


This is the legend told about the King Bell of Beijing, the huge bronze bell which was hung in the Bell Tower of Beijing by the great Emperor Yongle (spelled Yung-lo in this story) in 1403, and remains there to this day. Emperor Yongle was also responsible for the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. The bell is over 10 inches thick, weighs 46 tons and is nearly 7 metres tall (23 feet). It is inscribed with 230,000 words of Buddhist Mantras all around, both inside and out. When struck, it can be heard up to 50 kilometres away.

Bell Tower, Beijing

"Go to sleep!
The Bell Tower is tolling.
The Goddess who cast the bell wants her embroidered slipper back!"

The Goddess Who Cast the Bell - Colouring Page 2

The Goddess Who Cast the Bell - Colouring Page 2

In our second colouring page from the story of The Goddess Who Cast The Bell, loving daughter Ko-ai comforts her father Kwan-yu as he tries to find out how to make the great bell for the Emperor.

The Goddess Who Cast the Bell - Colouring Page 4

The Goddess Who Cast the Bell - Colouring Page 4

Despairing father Kwan-yu holds his daughter's slipper and weeps, with the great bell of Beijing swinging in the background. This is our final colouring page from the traditional Chinese story, The Goddess Who Cast the Bell.

The Goddess Who Cast the Bell - Printable

The Goddess Who Cast the Bell - Printable

Here is a pdf printable version of The Goddess Who Cast the Bell. The pdf is 13 pages long and includes 4 colour illustrations. It is best printed using your printer's borderless settings. I hope you enjoy this sad, traditional Chinese story!

The Goddess Who Cast the Bell - Story Paper

The Goddess Who Cast the Bell - Story Paper

Our story paper gives children a chance to retell the story of The Goddess Who Cast the Bell in their own words, using the colouring pages provided to help them remember how it goes.

The Goddess Who Cast the Bell Flipbook

The Goddess Who Cast the Bell Flipbook

Read the story of The Goddess Who Cast the Bell online in this fun flipbook version, turning the pages as you go. Buttons at the top of the flipbook allow you to expand to full screen or share with friends.

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