Pu Lao, who was one of the Nine Sons of the Dragon King, loved the oceans and remained by the sea all the times. He was greatly afraid of whales though and thought of them as his archenemy.

When he saw one he would scream at it with all his might. The people became annoyed with this constant racket and a report was made to the Dragon King who upon hearing this named Pu Lao to be in charge of all the bells in China so that they would remain loud and true.

It is because of this association that Pu Lao’s image adorns the handles of bells.