Emperor's Bedroom
The Imperial bedroom was the most popular scene in the Forbidden City. Crowds of tourists pressed their lenses up to the glass and peered in to see where the Emperor slept. The symbol on the far wall is “double happiness,” literally comprised of two happiness characters strung together. Many translations of Chinese into English happen to sound like Orwell’s 1984 “Newspeak.”
Chinese Cannon
A weaponry gallery featured various spears and cannons. The exhibits were well curated with labels and often explanations for each artifact. Paintings or photographs served as the backdrop, artistically illustrating the objects in action.
Bridal Palaquin
The largest exhibit was devoted to imperial marriages. This gold palanquin carried the bride into the Forbidden City. Before the marriage, a formal proposal event took place involving three phases: stating the proposal, requesting the woman’s full name and lineage to ensure there were no blood relatives in common, and an astrological process to check compatibility.
Forbidden City Art
Many pages from the Emperor’s “wedding albums” were displayed on the museum walls. It was fascinating to recognize the paintings since you had just walked through the locations they portrayed.
Forbidden City Lantern
Since the Empress-to-be traditionally came through the gates of the Forbidden City at midnight, lanterns such as the one above were supposedly lit for the occasion. Once the Empress stepped over a saddle to enter the bridal chamber and the Emperor formally joined her, they proceeded to the bed and … ate underdone dumplings, literally. This special food was consumed on their marriage day to provide them with good male heirs. Drinking the nuptial cup was then climax of the marriage.
Forbidden City Pathway
Emerging from an indoor museum at the Forbidden City can best be described as walking out of the Medieval Art exhibit at the MET in NYC and finding yourself strolling through the corridors of a European castle. The more I wandered around this landmark, the more realistic it felt to my senses. The museum closed at 16:20, meaning there was an exodus of Chinese tourists moving toward the gates at 16:15, escaping the possibility of experiencing the palace after dark. At that time, crows came out to perch on the ornate eaves alongside the ceramic animals, and the palace really started to feel alive.
Enjoyed visiting your site, interesting article and some great photographs, Regards
Very good article !You did a wonderful give good results,and supply a lot more reliable imformation for us !Thank you !We get a lot valuable imformation!Our store offers you all kinds of favourite products like Prada Handbags and Prada Handbags 2010, Mens Prada Sunglasses with high quality, fashion style and competitive price.