Forbidden City 'pig blood' rumor debunked, used as adhesive

A long-standing rumor that China's Forbidden City uses 600,000 tonnes of pig's blood annually to dispel evil has been debunked. A recently published book clarifies it's used as an adhesive for walls and pillars.

Sun Apr 26 2026

Forbidden City 'Pig Blood' Rumor Debunked

A long-standing and widely circulated rumor claiming that Beijing's Forbidden City uses 600,000 tonnes of pig's blood each year to dispel evil has been debunked. According to a recently published book, the liquid is actually used as a form of adhesive painted on the famous palace’s signature red walls and pillars. This clarification puts an end to a persistent misconception about the historic site.

Researcher's Book Clarifies Misconception

The book, titled 'Sitting under the Roof of the Forbidden City: Answering 50 Questions about the Forbidden City,' was written by Zhou Qian, a researcher who has worked at the palace for 20 years. Zhou Qian's extensive experience at the Forbidden City allowed her to provide accurate insights, correcting the public's understanding of the palace's maintenance practices and dispelling the long-held myth.

*Source: SCMP (2026-04-26)*

Tags: #자금성 #중국 #돼지 피 #문화유산 #루머 #news