Antique Chinese Password Padlock: Join Terry from Mr. Locksmith as he explores a fascinating Antique Chinese Password Padlock! Discover its unique design, how it’s ‘opened’ using a famous poem, and why this beautiful piece of history isn’t quite a high-security lock. Learn about its bronze craftsmanship, lion head carvings, and the cultural significance of Chinese padlock decorations. It’s a blend of art, poetry, and locksmith insight! (Source: Terry Whin-Yates)
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Antique Chinese Password Padlock
Mr. Locksmith Automotive (604) 259-7617
Hi everyone, Terry from Mr. Locksmith here! Today, we’re taking a fascinating detour from modern security to explore a piece of history: an antique Chinese carved bronze password padlock. This isn’t just any lock; it’s a beautiful blend of art, poetry, and ingenious design, with a rather surprising twist when it comes to its actual security!
A Lock with a Poetic Secret
This particular padlock is crafted from bronze and features five rotating discs. Each disc is intricately carved with four Chinese characters. The magic (or lack thereof, as we’ll see) lies in these characters, which form a famous poem.
“锄禾日当午，汗滴禾下土 。谁知盘中餐，粒粒皆辛苦。”
This is a line from the poem **”A Hard-Working Farmer”** by Li Shen (772-846 AD), written over 1400 years ago. It beautifully depicts peasants toiling in the rice fields, emphasizing that every single grain of rice is precious due to their hard work.
Farmers weeding at noon,
Sweat down the field soon.
Who knows food on a tray
Due to their tolling day?
The “Password” and Its Security Flaw
To open this lock, you simply need to rotate the discs so that the characters “锄禾日当午” (the first line of the poem) align perfectly in a line. The discs turn easily, making the mechanism quite straightforward.
Here’s the catch: **this is not a lock you’d use to secure your valuable belongings!** Because the poem is so incredibly popular and widely known in Chinese culture, virtually anyone familiar with the poem could open this padlock. It’s an “open secret” – easy to open even if you don’t know Chinese, as you could simply look up the poem!
It serves more as a decorative or novelty item, a testament to cultural knowledge rather than robust security.
Artistry in Bronze: Design & Materials
Beyond its poetic secret, the padlock itself is a work of art. Both sides of the lock are joined with a beautifully carved head of a lion, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The padlock is made of bronze, a durable alloy composed of red copper, tin, and lead.
Historically, common decorations on Chinese padlocks often featured animals from the Chinese Zodiac, such as tigers, dragons, deer, sheep, and oxen. In the Western Zhou dynasty, it was common for dragon symbols to adorn men’s locks and phoenix symbols for women’s locks, reflecting cultural symbolism and gender roles of the time.
A Glimpse into Lock History
This antique Chinese password padlock is a wonderful example of how locks have evolved throughout history, often blending functionality with cultural artistry. While its “password” is easily deciphered by a wide audience, its historical and cultural significance is undeniable. It reminds us that while some locks are designed for maximum security, others are created to tell a story or celebrate a shared heritage.
For genuine security needs, you’ll want something a bit more robust than a popular poem! But it’s certainly a conversation starter.
For Modern Security Needs, Call Mr. Locksmith!
While we appreciate the artistry of antique locks, for your home, business, or automotive security, you need reliable, professional locksmith services. Source: Terry Whin-Yates Mr. Locksmith Linkedin
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