The Forbidden City (The Palace Museum)
Located in the heart of Beijing, the Forbidden City was the imperial palace for 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Today, it is known as the Palace Museum and is one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
What’s in a Name?
In Chinese, the palace is called Zijin Cheng, which means "Purple Forbidden City."
- Purple: This refers to the North Star (the "Purple Star"), which ancient Chinese astronomers believed was the center of heaven.
- Forbidden: It was forbidden because no one could enter or leave the palace without the Emperor’s permission.
Layout: The Outer and Inner Courts
The palace is divided into two main areas. This helped separate the Emperor's public duties from his private life.
The Outer Court: This southern section was used for big ceremonies like imperial weddings, coronations, and festivals. It features three massive halls, including the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The Inner Court: This northern section was the Emperor’s home. He lived here with his family and servants. It was the center of daily government business.
The Protective Walls and Moat
The Forbidden City was built like a fortress. It is surrounded by a 10-meter high wall and a 6-meter deep moat filled with water.
There is a gate on each of the four sides. The most famous is the Meridian Gate in the south, which faces Tiananmen Square. At each corner of the wall, there is a beautiful watchtower used by guards to keep watch over the city.
Imperial Symbolism
Every detail in the palace was chosen to show the Emperor's power. Tutors and students should look for these three things:
- Yellow Roofs: Yellow was the color of the Emperor. Almost every building uses yellow tiles.
- Roof Statues: Small ceramic animals sit on the corners of the roofs. The more animals there are, the more important the building is.
- The Number Nine: This was a lucky number for the Emperor. You will often see nine dragons or nine rows of studs on the palace gates.
The Palace Today
In 1925, the palace was turned into a museum. It now holds over one million pieces of art, including paintings, ceramics, and imperial treasures. It is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
