The Forbidden City (Architecture 1400-1800)

The Symbolic Dragon and Phoenix

Many of the elements of the Forbidden City have great meaning and symbolism. The palace features over 12,000 dragons which symbolize the emperor (Morel 53). The phoenix, which is the symbol for the empress can also be seen throughout the palace grounds (Morel 53). I personally think the dragon is a perfect symbol for an emperor because I think a dragon is powerful and in charge just like an emperor would be.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ohmytrip/5184141729/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marktempe/6344608479/

Béguin, Gilles, and Dominique Morel. The Forbidden City: Center of Imperial China. New York: H.N. Abrams, 1997. Print.

The Number 9

“According to legend the Forbidden City numbers 9,999 rooms, a highly symbolic figure since 9 represents the power of the principle of yang at its peak” (Morel 18). Morel states that the legend also explains that the 9,999 rooms were built because it is believed that heaven consist of 10,000 rooms. If the legend true, I believe the 9,999 rooms could have been a symbol the emperor used to show his elite god like status.

http://travelerguidance.blogspot.com/2012/02/enchanting-beijing.html

http://cache.carlsonhotels.com/pkp/images/hotels/CHNBWAN/loc_Forbidden_City.jpg

Béguin, Gilles, and Dominique Morel. The Forbidden City: Center of Imperial China. New York: H.N. Abrams, 1997. Print.

The Forbidden City Today

The Forbidden City remains today as the largest and most preserved standing wood structure in China (Zhigang 7). The palace has now been converted into a public museum and monument. According to the museum website visitors can take guided tours of the palace and walk the gardens freely. The website offers virtual tours of the grounds and provides visitors with a wealth of information from the basic architecture of the palace to ceramic objects found in specific rooms. According to Tour-Beijing.com, about 8 million tourist travel to see the palace each year. It seems the Forbidden City is not so forbidden anymore!

The Forbidden City: Ancient China for Kids (link)

The Palace Museum Website (link)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OAB01_z3cw

"The Palace Museum." The Palace Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2013.

http://www.dpm.org.cn/shtml/2/@/8797.html

Yang, Zhigang. Beijing's Imperial Palace: The Illustrated Guide to the Architecture, History, and Splendor of the Forbidden City. Pleasantville, N.Y: Reader's Digest Association, 2010. Print.