The Mystery of Chinese Royal Architecture

With vivid characteristics, Chinese royal buildings, especially the most

popular tourist attractions in Beijing, are mysterious to today??s people.

Nearly every small part of the architecture is different and has some

symbolic value! Here we take the

Forbidden City as an example and collect something interesting about

this imperial palace. If explore it without a guide, you will never know the

secrets. Let??s feel it more than just watch it!

The Ornamental Pillars (Hua Biao)

A pair of marble pillars, decorated with exquisite clouds and entwined

dragons carvings, can be often found in front of most large royal complexes.

They were originally made of wood and used to solicit public opinions from

the people. They were also treated as landmarks or road signs. But later

they were only used to decorate important buildings.

The most famous Huabiaos are located at Tiananmen,

two in front of the gate of Tiananmen and two behind the gate. On top of the

Huabiaos, there sits a mythical animal called Hou. It is believed that the

positioning of the Hous' heads was a reminder to the emperor of the hopes of

the people. The two behind the gate looking at the palace (north) mean

expecting the emperor to go out often and to understand the life of the

people better. The two in front facing south express longing for the emperor'

s return to run state affairs when he was absent from the palace for too

long.

Stone/Bronze Lions Lion is a special animal to Chinese people. A pair of stone or bronze lions,

a male and a female, can often be seen in front of the gates of traditional

buildings. The male lion is on the left with his right paw resting on a ball,

and the female on the right with her left paw fondling a cub. Marble Terrace Most of Chinese ancient royal buildings stand on marble terrace. The white

marble terrace can not only support and magnify the single building on it,

but also protect the wood structure from dampness. It also has a deeper

meaning. It reflects the rank of the building.

Grand Roof Roofs are very important to

Chinese architecture. Palaces had particularly impressive elaborate

roofs. The distinctive roof of Chinese architecture involves a great deal of

symbolism. Symbolism is present in the colors and tiers of the eaves,

roofing materials and roof top decorations. Yellow, regarded as an auspicious color, was exclusively used by the

imperial families of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Imperial roofs are

certainly brilliant gold or imperial yellow.

Tunjishou (the ridge-devouring beast) Watch carefully, you will find the ridges of each roof are topped with

figures of mythical creatures. Fierce and formidable, it looks as if it were

ready to devour the whole ridge; so it is also known as tunjishou or the

ridge-devouring beast.

What were they used for? For decorative purposes only? According to

architects, these strange-looking creatures can prevent the roof from

sliding. Moreover, the number and the size of the creatures on the eaves

indicate the importance of the building. When visiting the royal palace, it

can be very interesting to count the animals on the eaves and get to know

exactly how important the building was.

Taihe Dian Now, it is very easy to figure out that the Hall of Taihe Dian is the main

hall of the Forbidden City. First, the building is raised on a triple marble

terrace, 8 m (26 ft) high, enclosed by marble balustrades, whilst those

around the same courtyard were kept lower so as to set off the magnificence

of the hall. Second, it has a roof with double eaves and is decorated with

carved dragons and phoenixes, most of which are gilded. Third, don??t forget

the little mythical creatures on the eave. There are 12 in total, the most of

all! The Hall of Taihe Dian was the place where emperors in the Ming and Qing

dynasties held.

Colors in the Forbidden City The Forbidden City is a complex painted in just two colors, yellow and red,

which can be seen throughout the city. The color red signifies happiness and

yellow signifies earth. In ancient China, the color yellow in particular,

was most extensively and exclusively used by the emperors, who were regarded

as the Sons of Heaven and the supreme rulers of humanity. Therefore, yellow

became the dominant color in the Forbidden City. Roofs are built with

yellow glazed tiles; decorations in the palace are painted yellow; even the

bricks on the ground are made yellow by a special process.

There is much more in the Forbidden City waiting for you to discover. Why is

it that no trees in the grand courtyard of the Hall of Taihe Dian? Hundreds

of gilt bronze vats are scattered in the Forbidden City. What were they used

for? Only when you get there can you reveal its mysterious veil!

What are you waiting for? Discover yourself!

Above articel provide by China

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