Stone Arrow in Nanjian County, Dali

Near Gonglang Town (公郎镇) in Nanjian County (南涧县), Dali City (大理市), lies a mysterious and ancient relic known as the Stone Arrow (石箭). Located about two kilometers from the town center, the stone stands upright in the middle of a river, seemingly piercing the ground for nearly two thousand years. Weathered by centuries of wind and rain, its surface has become mottled and worn. Even the inscriptions reportedly left by Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) have faded into near-obscurity. Yet, those faint characters continue to evoke reverence and curiosity among those who visit.

The Legend of the Stone Arrow

The story of the Stone Arrow is closely tied to the Southern Expedition of Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮), Chancellor of Shu Han (蜀汉) during the Three Kingdoms (三国) period. While quelling uprisings in the southern regions, Zhuge Liang employed the strategy of “winning hearts over capturing cities; psychological warfare over military combat.” His campaign successfully pacified the rebellious regions of Jianning (建宁), Zangke (牂牁), and Yuesui (越嶲), ultimately bringing the southern tribes under control and expanding the territory of Shu Han.

To maintain peace, he appointed local tribal leaders to govern the newly subdued areas, earning the support of the local people. Yet, as a cautious and meticulous statesman, Zhuge Liang remained uneasy about long-term stability in the region.

Zhuge Liang’s Divine Arrow

On his return north, Zhuge Liang performed a divination and suddenly exclaimed, “I nearly endangered the nation!” He then drew a feathered arrow from a guard’s quiver, wrote mysterious characters on both sides of the shaft, and recited an incantation. He instructed the guard to shoot the arrow in the direction he indicated. The arrow, transforming into a streak of white light, disappeared into the southwestern sky.

His generals, puzzled by the sudden action, inquired about its meaning. Zhuge Liang explained that although the three counties were pacified and the tribes were submissive, his reading of the divination revealed hidden danger. The omen pointed not to the recently conquered regions, but to deeper tribal territories. Fearing future unrest from emerging bandits, he decided to suppress this potential threat using a mystical arrow.

To prevent the divine arrow from later rising to heaven in pursuit of glory, he ordered a second unit to follow the arrow’s path and build a stone steamer (石甑) nearby. This stone vessel was to contain a talisman that would anchor the arrow and prevent it from ascending.

Rituals and Sealing the Arrow

The troops, following Zhuge Liang’s secret instructions, dulled the arrow’s head, splashed it with dog’s blood to dispel its mystical energy, and forced it to return to its true form. Then, on a small ridge dozens of meters away from the stone arrow, they built the stone steamer and placed a magical device inside it before withdrawing quietly.

Before leaving, the soldiers temporarily camped at Xiaodatian (小答田), where they accidentally left behind a drum of judgment (审鼓). Years later, an old pig-herder discovered the drum and used it as a feeding trough. Eventually, the item was recognized for its historical value and was preserved in the Dali Museum (大理博物馆).

The Stone Arrow Today

The Stone Arrow still stands proudly in the center of the river, serving as a mysterious and iconic landmark of Nanjian County (南涧县). It bears silent witness to the tides of history and reflects the wisdom and virtue attributed to Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮). Though time has worn away much of its physical presence, the legend endures in local folklore, continuing to attract curious visitors who seek to uncover the secrets of this ancient relic.