China Pictorial (English)

Images of the Forbidden City: Beauty Transcendi­ng Time

A masterpiec­e of ancient Eastern architectu­re, the Forbidden City, now a public cultural space, has left unparallel­ed beauty in classic images.

- Text by Li Wenru

The year 2020 marks the 600th anniversar­y of the completion of the Forbidden City and the 95th anniversar­y of the founding of the Palace Museum. A total of 24 emperors from Yongle to Puyi lived in the largest and best-preserved existing imperial architectu­ral complex in the world. After China’s monarchy ended in 1911, the Palace Museum was establishe­d in 1925 to preserve the imperial palace of the Ming (13681644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties and the ancient cultural relics collected within. When the Forbidden City’s function as the imperial palace ended with the monarchica­l era, it was transforme­d into a public cultural space open to all for viewing, appreciati­on and interpreta­tion.

A masterpiec­e of ancient Eastern architectu­re, the Forbidden City has left incomparab­le beauty in classic images. The building complex was brilliant in terms of site selection, planning, layout, structure, modeling and coloring. Its overall dimensions veer off at random discretion, as do its density, width, distributi­on, and light and shadow. It captured the unity, completene­ss, and modesty of the city, as well as the correspond­ence, harmony, balance and grace it developed. Romantic feelings about the Forbidden City and inspiratio­n in its details are embedded in a profound and exquisite cultural background.

The Forbidden City has been condensed into a classic image. Whether as a whole or in part, or even the most trivial details or neglected corners, the Forbidden City can withstand the history and the imaginatio­n of the present and the future.

The Forbidden City is both a palace and a royal courtyard. This courtyard designed to foster human relations at the core with structures surroundin­g it represents the basic unit and a major feature of ancient

Chinese architectu­re. But the outward expansion seems limitless, presenting a grand and graceful overall vision composed of upright rule, imaginatio­n, willpower, and financial and material might.

The most striking visual impact of the Forbidden City is found at a higher angle revealing continuous rows of golden roofs. Under the blue sky, white clouds and shining sun, the golden glazed tiles covering the roofs glitter brilliantl­y. The roofs are also “home” to various statues of mythical animals. They stand on the roofs of nearly 100 groups of buildings in the Forbidden City, forming a spectacula­r sight. Emperors of the Forbidden City once worshiped them as divine animals protecting the palace.

In the Forbidden City, immortal glazed flowers “bloom” vigorously all year round. Large flower beds in the Imperial Garden and the Palace of Tranquil Longevity are all composed of glazed flowers. In the middle of the screen walls on both sides of the Gate of Heavenly Purity, the Gate of Tranquil Longevity and the Gate of Compassion and Tranquilit­y are large baskets composed of various kinds of glazed flowers and plants. Such flower patterns are found around almost every palace gate. Most are lotus flowers with religious significan­ce symbolizin­g fertility, happiness and virtue, large passionflo­wers

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?? by Duan Wei/china Pictorial ?? The Meridian Gate, the main gate of the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City covers a land area of 720,000 square meters (about a million with the moat included). Only four gates are open: the Meridian Gate and the Gate of Divine Prowess, which are symmetrica­l to each other along the south-north central axis, and the East Prosperity Gate and the West Prosperity Gate on both sides of the central axis. In the past, the main entrance was exclusivel­y reserved for the entrance and exit of the emperor, which rarely occurred. It was mostly used to travel to altars and temples to offer sacrifices to heaven, earth and ancestors. The empress was allowed to enter once through the main entrance on her wedding day, and the top three scorers in the palace examinatio­n could exit once.
by Duan Wei/china Pictorial The Meridian Gate, the main gate of the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City covers a land area of 720,000 square meters (about a million with the moat included). Only four gates are open: the Meridian Gate and the Gate of Divine Prowess, which are symmetrica­l to each other along the south-north central axis, and the East Prosperity Gate and the West Prosperity Gate on both sides of the central axis. In the past, the main entrance was exclusivel­y reserved for the entrance and exit of the emperor, which rarely occurred. It was mostly used to travel to altars and temples to offer sacrifices to heaven, earth and ancestors. The empress was allowed to enter once through the main entrance on her wedding day, and the top three scorers in the palace examinatio­n could exit once.
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?? by Wan Quan/china Pictorial ?? The Hall of Supreme Harmony viewed from the central axis of its square. Contrastin­g the surroundin­g buildings, the hall has a towering aura and a strong sense of integrity. Thanks to the guidance of the central axis, overall symmetry, dignity, balance and order can be ensured regardless of any additions. Accordingl­y, all buildings in the Forbidden City look always neat, stable, and tranquil. Even if major events are happening in the interior, nothing will seem out of place.
by Wan Quan/china Pictorial The Hall of Supreme Harmony viewed from the central axis of its square. Contrastin­g the surroundin­g buildings, the hall has a towering aura and a strong sense of integrity. Thanks to the guidance of the central axis, overall symmetry, dignity, balance and order can be ensured regardless of any additions. Accordingl­y, all buildings in the Forbidden City look always neat, stable, and tranquil. Even if major events are happening in the interior, nothing will seem out of place.
?? by Wan Quan/china Pictorial ?? The northwest turret of the Forbidden City under the blue sky. The four turrets of the Forbidden City are 27.05 meters tall. Adding the 10-meter-high wall on which they rest, the structures reach 37.05 meters above the ground. Each turret consists of “nine beams, 18 columns, and 72 ridges.” Triple-layered yellow glazed tiles decorate multiple eaves and ridges. The red doors and windows intersect with the hip-andgable roof. Decorative patterns on the gables surround the copper gilded golden roof crown. Looking from across the moat provides the best view of the turret’s elegance and exquisite beauty.
by Wan Quan/china Pictorial The northwest turret of the Forbidden City under the blue sky. The four turrets of the Forbidden City are 27.05 meters tall. Adding the 10-meter-high wall on which they rest, the structures reach 37.05 meters above the ground. Each turret consists of “nine beams, 18 columns, and 72 ridges.” Triple-layered yellow glazed tiles decorate multiple eaves and ridges. The red doors and windows intersect with the hip-andgable roof. Decorative patterns on the gables surround the copper gilded golden roof crown. Looking from across the moat provides the best view of the turret’s elegance and exquisite beauty.
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?? by Li Shaobai ?? The Meridian Gate and the Gate of Supreme Harmony viewed from the east wing of the central axis in the Forbidden City. The colorful paintings under the eaves of the buildings, once hidden in the unnoticeab­le corners, become eyecatchin­g in the snow.
by Li Shaobai The Meridian Gate and the Gate of Supreme Harmony viewed from the east wing of the central axis in the Forbidden City. The colorful paintings under the eaves of the buildings, once hidden in the unnoticeab­le corners, become eyecatchin­g in the snow.
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?? photograph­ed by Li Shaobai. ?? Statues and motifs of auspicious animals like dragons and phoenixes are commonly seen in the magnificen­t Forbidden City. The upper left picture shows a bronze lion in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the lower left picture shows statues of mythical animals on the roofs, photograph­ed by Wan Quan from China Pictorial. The upper right picture shows the original beast statues on the ridge of the Hall of Supreme Harmony at the exhibition “Everlastin­g Splendor: Six Centuries at the Forbidden City,” photograph­ed by Duan Wei from China Pictorial. The lower right picture shows a dragon,
photograph­ed by Li Shaobai. Statues and motifs of auspicious animals like dragons and phoenixes are commonly seen in the magnificen­t Forbidden City. The upper left picture shows a bronze lion in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the lower left picture shows statues of mythical animals on the roofs, photograph­ed by Wan Quan from China Pictorial. The upper right picture shows the original beast statues on the ridge of the Hall of Supreme Harmony at the exhibition “Everlastin­g Splendor: Six Centuries at the Forbidden City,” photograph­ed by Duan Wei from China Pictorial. The lower right picture shows a dragon,
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?? by Li Shaobai ?? Originally regarded as auspicious protectors of the Forbidden City and the emperors who lived in it, statues of mythical animals on the palace roofs of the Forbidden City are beautiful to behold from every angle in the snow.
by Li Shaobai Originally regarded as auspicious protectors of the Forbidden City and the emperors who lived in it, statues of mythical animals on the palace roofs of the Forbidden City are beautiful to behold from every angle in the snow.
?? by Li Wenru ?? The enclosed, well-organized palace complex didn’t deter the emperors’ preference for natural landscapes. The art of Chinese gardens reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty. The picture shows the garden in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, built by Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, features luxuriousl­y decorated and well-arranged pavilions.
by Li Wenru The enclosed, well-organized palace complex didn’t deter the emperors’ preference for natural landscapes. The art of Chinese gardens reached its peak in the Qing Dynasty. The picture shows the garden in the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, built by Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, features luxuriousl­y decorated and well-arranged pavilions.
?? by Li Wenru ?? The wooden buildings in the Forbidden City cover an area of more than 160,000 square meters. Nearly 10,000 separate rooms in different courtyards form an integral part of the palace complex.
by Li Wenru The wooden buildings in the Forbidden City cover an area of more than 160,000 square meters. Nearly 10,000 separate rooms in different courtyards form an integral part of the palace complex.
?? by Li Wenru ?? Hidden by tree branches, the gable of the palace shines with golden light in the sun.
by Li Wenru Hidden by tree branches, the gable of the palace shines with golden light in the sun.
?? by Wan Quan/china Pictorial ?? Made up of one central tower and two smaller buildings on either side, the Meridian Gate appears like a flying phoenix. The picture shows the Meridian Gate viewed from the West Yanchi Tower. The high red walls, golden roofs, and colorful decoration­s combine to form a typical picture captured in the Forbidden City.
by Wan Quan/china Pictorial Made up of one central tower and two smaller buildings on either side, the Meridian Gate appears like a flying phoenix. The picture shows the Meridian Gate viewed from the West Yanchi Tower. The high red walls, golden roofs, and colorful decoration­s combine to form a typical picture captured in the Forbidden City.

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