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Throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City has consistently symbolized power, housing the cultural treasures of China.
Unveiling Lesser-Known Aspects of the Forbidden City
For over 500 years, the Forbidden City remained a mystery to the common people as not everyone was allowed to enter. Today, the Imperial Palace attracts around 20,000 visitors daily.
Enormous blocks of jade
The ancient Chinese, since ancient times, have puzzled humanity with the construction of this colossal complex. The unique architecture of the palace complex is also evident in the intricate carvings of dragon and phoenix motifs on massive blocks of jade. The largest slab measures 16.8 meters in length and 3 meters in width, positioned in front of the Thai Hoa Palace area.
Recent scientific findings suggest that these massive stone slabs, weighing hundreds of tons, could be transported on ice-covered ramps. Engineers dug hundreds of small wells along the route, creating flooding during winter when low temperatures turned the water into a layer of ice on the ground. Using this method, just around 50 workers could transport these gigantic stone slabs.
Symbolism of Gold and Red
Colors play a crucial role in the Forbidden City. Gold symbolizes ultimate power, reserved for the emperor. Everything the emperor touched or wore, from clothing and bedding to daily dining utensils, was in the color gold. Even the roof tiles in the Forbidden City were glazed with a layer of yellow enamel to clearly demonstrate the emperor's supremacy.
In Chinese culture, the color red signifies vitality and luck, so all the palaces and walls within the Forbidden City are adorned in red. However, red also symbolizes fire. That's why the roof of the study room is the only part of the Forbidden City with a black color instead of gold. Black represents water and extinguishes flames in case of a fire.
Feng Shui Techniques
One of the crucial factors in determining the location of the Forbidden City is feng shui. It is an influential theory in Chinese culture that studies the impact of nature on human destiny and fortune. Another important aspect of feng shui is symmetry. Therefore, the layout of the Forbidden City is mostly designed symmetrically. The most important palaces are situated on the North-South axis at the center, and other palaces are symmetrically arranged on both sides.
Encountering the presence of the number 9 in the Forbidden City is not uncommon, as this digit holds significant importance in the Chinese numerical beliefs. The number 9 symbolizes extreme positivity and the emperor's realm, requiring passage through 9 gates to access the ruler.
The Forbidden City boasts 9,999 rooms, just one less than the legendary 10,000 rooms in the Heavenly Palace, where the Jade Emperor reigns in mythology. The roof of the Imperial Palace is adorned with 9 mythical beast sculptures resembling dragons, and the Grand Meridian Gate (main entrance) typically has 81 knobs arranged in 9 vertical and 9 horizontal rows.
The Final Enigma
Even though the Forbidden City has opened its doors to visitors for a long time, there remains a place shrouded in mystery. When the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Puyi, was expelled from the Forbidden City in 1924, the most secretive treasure within – the Garden of Eternal Spring – was sealed off. However, in the coming years, this enigmatic garden will be unveiled to the public.
Built for the emperor's relaxation, the Garden of Eternal Spring was protected by a decree from Emperor Qianlong, ensuring that no one could alter its condition even after his passing. Thus, furnishings made of bamboo, silk paintings, intricate jade-inlaid decorations, and glassware from the 18th century remain perfectly preserved. Restoration efforts began in 2008, and the garden is set to reopen in 2020.
In 1402, Emperor Zhu Di ascended to the throne as the Ming Dynasty's Yongle Emperor and decided to move the capital from Nanjing to Beijing. Here, Emperor Yongle personally oversaw the construction of the Forbidden City. Millions of workers toiled for 14 years to complete this complex and costly undertaking.
In 1421, the emperor moved to reside within the imperial complex, making Beijing the new capital. From then on, the Forbidden City was successively ruled by 24 emperors (from the middle of the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty). In 1912, the last emperor of China abdicated.
According to Trang Anh/ Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourSeptember 9, 2019
