Wumen (The Meridian Gate)

The Meridian Gate,Wumenin Chinese, is the southern entrance of the Forbidden City. Since Chinese emperors believed that they were sons of Heaven and should live in the center of the universe, and they believed the Meridian Line went through the Forbidden City, the gate was named so. The grand gate, consisting of five openings, is the largest gate and main gate of the Forbidden City, 35.6 meters high and surmounted by five pavilions, named Wufenglou (Five Phoenix Tower). In Five Phoenix Tower, there are drums that were used to announce emperors' departure to the Temple of Heaven and bells which to announce their departure to the Ancestral Temple. Both toll to announce that the emperor was going to receive his ministers in Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony).

There were strict rules to follow when people enter the Forbidden City. Entering through the central opening was the emperors' exclusive privilege, while their empresses were allowed to go through the opening once on their wedding day. The top three in the national examinations, presided by emperors on the final stage, would be honored to strut through the arched hole after receiving emperors' interview. The east opening was for the ministers while the west opening was for the royal family. The other openings were for petty officials.Ordinary people were forbidden to enter the city.

In the ancient time, emperors would bestow foods to ministers on days of important Chinese solar terms. On the first day of October on solar calendar every year, emperors would issue next year' calendar. After wars, Emperors would receive captives themselves here. Also on the left side of the Imperial Way, which goes through the central opening, baculine penalty would be executed on those who offended emperors.

Taihemen (Gate of Supreme Harmony)

Behind Wumen (the Meridian Gate), one can see five bridges and the courtyard beyond. Further north in the center, it is Taihemen, the Gate of Supreme Harmony.

The river is called the Inner Golden River and the bridges called the Inner Golden River Bridges. The central bridge is reserved for emperors exclusively. The two flanking it are reserved for royal family members while the two outside are for ordinary officials. The bridges are well decorated with marble balustrades carved with motifs of dragon and phoenix. The river serves as fire hydrant as well as decorations.

The courtyard beyond covers a space of 10,000 square meters. There are no trees on the square since in ancient China emperors considered themselves Son of Heaven, born to reign over the country, so they should occupy the highest position. Nothing was allowed to overwhelm the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the highest building in the Forbidden City and trees were no exception.

The ground in the palace was laid in a very special way -- seven layers lengthwise and eight layers crosswise, totaling fifteen layers to protect assassins from digging tunnels into the palace. And the bricks were specially made to sound nice when walking on. The rooms on each side were said to serve as warehouses for storing such items as fur, porcelain, silver, tea, silk, satin and clothes.

Taihemen, north of the square, is the main gate of the Outer Court and fairly grand. The gate is guarded by a couple of gilded bronze lions which were aimed to show imperial dignity. The east one is male, with its front right paw put on a ball, meaning imperial power extended worldwide. The lioness on the west puts its front left paw on a lion cub, indicating prosperously growing family.

The gate is an important place where emperors' wedding ceremonies were usually held.