On a stormy night, visitors reported seeing the image of Qing-dynasty palace maids walking along the red wall of the Forbidden City for about five seconds. Some visitors photographed it. The story spread widely online.
Account
On a stormy night, visitors reported seeing the image of Qing-dynasty palace maids walking along the red wall of the Forbidden City for about five seconds. Some visitors photographed it. The story spread widely online.
Debunked
⚠️ Unverified hypothesis: Experts suggest the red wall paint contains ferric oxide (magnetic iron oxide), which under lightning could produce a "recording" effect similar to magnetic tape, later replaying the image during storms. This hypothesis has never been experimentally confirmed, and the original 1992 photographs are of poor quality.
Sources
- 1992 visitor photographs and online reports