Culture
Culture
Forbidden City
Source: chinaculture.org
Time: 2010-May-27 12:41
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Qianqinggong (Palace of Celestial Purity)

Inside Qianqingmen (Gate of Celestial Palace), you will see Qianqinggong (the Palace of Celestial Purity), which used to be the bedroom palace of emperors.

The Palace of Celestial Purity is the smaller twin of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Every item similar with that of the Hall of Supreme Harmony is smaller than the latter. However, it is the largest structure in the Inner Court since it is superior to any other structures in the Inner Court. It was built in 1420 and rebuilt in 1798. Ming emperors and the first two Qing emperors live inside the palace and attended to daily state affairs. They also read, signed documents, interviewed ministers and envoys. Banquets and rites occasionally would be held here too. In 1722 and 1785, Banquet for A Thousand Seniors was held here twice. Old men over 60 from the nation presented the events.

Moreover, in the Qing Dynasty, no matter where the emperor died, his coffin should be set in the palace for a few days to hold memorial ceremonies. Later the coffin would be moved to Jingshan, and then buried in the mausoleum on a selected day.

In the middle of the palace, the throne is seated on stairs, surrounded by decorations like cloisonne incense burners, long red candles, and big mirrors, which were placed beside the throne to ward off evil spirits. On the columns surrounding, there are two pairs of couplets written by Qing emperors. Over the throne hangs a plaque engraved with four Chinese characters, which were written by Emperor Yongzheng and means Justice and Brightness. From Emperor Yongzheng, crown princes' name would be written on duplicate documents and a copy would be hidden in a box behind the plaque. The other copy would be carried by the emperor. If the designated names on the two copies were the same, the designated prince would take the crown.

Jiaotaidian (Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union)

Jiaotaidian, the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union, was first built in 1420 and rebuilt in 1655 and 1798 respectively. It indicates the emperor and empress have a nice marriage. It looks like Zhonghedian (the Hall of Central Harmony) in shape and is the smallest among the three main palaces in the Inner Court. Usually empresses would receive formal birthday greetings here.

To the right of the throne, visitors will see ancient Chinese water pot-equivalent of sandglass and to the left there is a chime clock. The two timers used to be the reference of the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower. In addition, the palace also holds 25 imperial seals. Since Emperor Qianlong hoped that the Qing Dynasty could last 25 reigns to exceed the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256BC), the longest dynasty in China. However history disappointed him, the Qing Dynasty only lasted ten reigns.

Kunninggong (Palace of Earthly Tranquility)

Kunninggong (Palace of Earthly Tranquility) was first built in 1420 and restored in 1655. It was the only Manchurian architecture in the Forbidden City and residence palace of the empress during the Ming and the Qing dynasties. However, in the Qing Dynasty, the bridal emperor and empress only lived in the East Warmth Chamber of this palace for a few days. Later the emperor would move to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The empress would move to other palace. The emperor's bridal chamber (the East Warmth Chamber) was painted red and there were palace lamps pasted with red Double Happiness to heat up happy atmosphere. The delicate and exquisite embroidered bed curtain and quilt both features a hundred playing children. The emperors all expected more children to show imperial family's prosperity.

In the West Warmth Chamber, sacrifice would be held every day. On important occasions, emperors and empresses would preside over the ceremonies themselves.

Behind the palace, it is the Kunningmen, the Gate of Terrestrial Tranquility, with imperial doctors' duty room, dispensary and eunuchs duty room flanking it.

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Editor:Xu Rui
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