The halls and palaces along the central axis are grand and majestic. Spacious. They are encompassed by wide ceilings where golden dragons fly amidst blue and green clouds of the mirrored sky. Lofty. They are held high by tall wooden columns painted red. Elaborate gilded thrones centred in the halls are surrounded by imperial insignias.
It's not hard to imagine the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties conducting affairs of state before the gathered court of ministers and officials lined according to protocol at the great squares. Or holding imperial banquets for foreign envoys and honoured guests with long tables heavily laden with delicacies from all over China's expansive empire. Or performing religious rites before the royal family to seek blessings and curry favour from Heaven in order to protect their sovereignty for the coming year.
The eastern and western axes however, are simpler in comparison. In comparison. Yet, just as stately. Halls and palaces are smaller. But where they lack in grandeur, they make up for it in opulence and extravagance. Luxurious furniture are accompanied by exquisite ornaments. Jadeware and ceramics fill the detailed Chinese shelves made of fragrant wood. Golden dragons and phoenixes, imperial emblems, are emblazoned on red silk cushions and mattresses as well as curtains and screens.
Here, the emperor seeks rest from his sovereign duties and cultivates his calligraphy and verse. The dowager empress indulges in the pleasures of imperial lifestyle in the remaining years of her life. The empress overseas and manages the imperial harem whilst the concubines giggle and laugh at their vain attempts to catch butterflies in the well-tended gardens.
Here, secluded and cut off from the outside world, Emperor Qianlong brought China to its Golden Age whilst enjoying the beauty of calligraphy and verse. Here too, secluded and cut off from the outside world, Emperor Puyi abdicated and was chased out of the Forbidden City.
It's not hard to imagine the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties conducting affairs of state before the gathered court of ministers and officials lined according to protocol at the great squares. Or holding imperial banquets for foreign envoys and honoured guests with long tables heavily laden with delicacies from all over China's expansive empire. Or performing religious rites before the royal family to seek blessings and curry favour from Heaven in order to protect their sovereignty for the coming year.
The eastern and western axes however, are simpler in comparison. In comparison. Yet, just as stately. Halls and palaces are smaller. But where they lack in grandeur, they make up for it in opulence and extravagance. Luxurious furniture are accompanied by exquisite ornaments. Jadeware and ceramics fill the detailed Chinese shelves made of fragrant wood. Golden dragons and phoenixes, imperial emblems, are emblazoned on red silk cushions and mattresses as well as curtains and screens.
Here, the emperor seeks rest from his sovereign duties and cultivates his calligraphy and verse. The dowager empress indulges in the pleasures of imperial lifestyle in the remaining years of her life. The empress overseas and manages the imperial harem whilst the concubines giggle and laugh at their vain attempts to catch butterflies in the well-tended gardens.
Here, secluded and cut off from the outside world, Emperor Qianlong brought China to its Golden Age whilst enjoying the beauty of calligraphy and verse. Here too, secluded and cut off from the outside world, Emperor Puyi abdicated and was chased out of the Forbidden City.
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