在紫禁城皇宫中设置铜大缸、铁缸，初的意图就是用来防火的。这些大缸平时贮满清水，宫中一旦失火，即可就近取水灭火。因此，铸铜太平缸，大缸又被称作“吉祥缸”、“太平缸”。据说，这些大缸还有一个俗称叫“门海”，取门前之大海的意思，铜缸，祈望门前的“大海”以水克火，宫里不再发生火灾。
In the Forbidden City Palace, copper cylinders and iron cylinders were set up. The original intention was to prevent fire. These large vats are usually filled with fresh water. Once a fire breaks out in the palace, they can draw water nearby to extinguish the fire. Therefore, cast copper Taiping cylinder, large cylinder is also known as "auspicious cylinder" and "taiping cylinder". It is said that these VATS also have a common name "Menhai". Take the meaning of the sea in front of the door, copper vats, and hope that the "sea" in front of the door will overcome the fire with water, and there will be no fire in the palace.

在古代，铜大缸雕塑不仅可以用来盛水，还在风水上有一定的讲究说法，如在庭院门口两边方式铜雕大缸，既显得大方高贵，又具有风水上所说的水能聚财，财源广进之意，故宫太平铜缸，由此可显现，铜雕大缸在古代占据很高的地位。在故宫中，大殿前、庭院中都有摆放大铜缸，这些铜雕大缸是雕塑工艺中的一种铸铜雕塑，腹宽口收，容量极大，而且装饰精美，两耳处加饰有兽面铜环。
In ancient times, the copper cylinder sculpture not only can be used to hold water, but also has a certain fastidious view on geomantic water. For example, the copper cylinder on both sides of the gate of the courtyard is not only generous and noble, but also has the meaning of geomantic water to gather wealth, and the wealth is widespread. Thus, the Palace Museum Taiping copper cylinder can be seen that the copper cylinder occupied a very large part in ancient times. High status. In the Palace Museum, large copper cylinders are placed in front of the hall and in the courtyard. These copper cylinders are a kind of cast copper sculpture in the sculpture process. They have wide abdomen, large capacity and beautiful decoration. They are decorated with bronze rings with animal faces on both ears.