Hall of Supreme Harmony: The Greatest Class Palace in The Forbidden City
Heritage
The Hall of Supreme Harmony was constructed in the Ming Dynasty and it is was in ruins at the stop of the Ming dynasty.
The hall has obtained its existing title immediately after it was developed in the decades of Qing Emperor Shunzhi. In 1669, it was renovated and later on, substantial scale reconstruction was finished in 1695. The hall’s 9-rooms width was modified to an 11-area width, but the key corridor stored its initial design and style, so as to shown the romantic relationship of the variety 9 and 5 which refer to the emperor. The floor room of the Hall of Supreme Harmony covers 2,377 square meters and its height is 35.05 meters significant. It is the tallest and most significant hall between the palatial complexes of China.
Functionality
In the course of the Ming and Qing Dynasties the corridor was exactly where grand courtroom ceremonies have been held. The grand occasion of Chinese Lunar New 12 months, the Emperor’s birthday, the emperors enthronement, imperial wedding, the dispatch of generals to fight and the declaration of thriving candidates of the imperial evaluation ceremonies were being all held at the Hall of Supreme Harmony. A single working day right before the emperor went to pray in the Temple of Heaven for rainfall, a very good harvest as properly as for worshipping heaven, he was essential to go through the sacrificial writings in the hall.
Building Pattern
Roof of the Hall
The Hall Supreme Harmony is an example of the maximum course of the palace architecture with a double-eave hip-roof design and style. On the two ends of its front ridge are glazed ornaments named dragon mouths which can quench hearth. The ornaments are not only decorations these also have the included function of stabilizing the ridge and blocking rain from leaking into the making. The Corridor has the largest dragon mouth current from imperial instances. A dragon thirty day period was regarded as to have magic electrical power. When a person was created, the emperor would ship very first rank officers to greet it at the kiln when it was set up, a desk was put at the spot for burning incense so as to show respect to it. On the upturned eaves of the creating, there are two rows of glazed nails where by an immortal using on the phoenix and 10 other legendary animals are positioned. In accordance to their regular buy, the 10 animals are the dragon, phoenix, lion, sea horse, heavenly horse, Yaya, Suanni, Douniu and Hangshi. The animals and nails are not only decorationsthey also stabilize the glazed tiles on the roof. You can find the immortal using on a phoenix on every single upturned eave in the Forbidden Metropolis, but the numbers of the animals are distinct according to the class of the architecture. The animals are extra beginning from the finish of the row in accordance to common purchase and are normally odd in variety. For example, there is one particular animal for the Gate of Mental Cultivation three for the watchtowers of the Forbidden Town 5 for the Palace of Collecting Excellence seven for the Corridor of Middle Harmony and nine for the Hall of Preserving Harmony. 10 animals ended up only for structures of the highest rank:The Corridor of Supreme Harmony.
Pillars
The Corridor of Supreme Harmony is supported by 72 pillars with 66 crimson pillars scattered on two sides. 6 gold gilded pillars with coiling dragons are put on both sides of the valuable throne.
Caisson
The caisson is also known as the Heavenly Well or Dragon Properly. The one is the Corridor of Supreme Harmony is round at the top rated and square to the base. Becoming 1.8 meters in depth, it is composed of higher, center and decreased sections. The most affordable part is a sq. well. The middle is octagonal whilst the upper segment is circular. In the center of the caisson is a coiling dragon holding a treasured mirror in the thirty day period. The mirror hanging high up inside of the Corridor of Supreme Harmony signifies the existing emperor.
Placing a caisson on the ceiling implies the dignity of the emperor. Aside from the Corridor of Supreme Harmony,there are caissons inside the most critical constructions of the Forbidden City, these types of as the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Placement of caissons within general public altars and temples used to exhibit the excellent electricity of the Buddha and immortals. In addition, the caisson also has the that means of conquering fireplace.
Emperor’s Throne
The principal show in the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the throne of the emperor. The entire throne is protected with Golden Dragons. Powering it stands 7 screens carved with dragons and painted in golden paint. Above the throne is square caisson with a dragon facing downwards. Six dragons carved on the 6 golden painted pillars on both of those sides of the throne. The dragons deal with the throne, showcasing imperial dignity. The throne is on an upraised platform, surrounded by a palace enthusiast, incense burners and cranes.
The throne was still left behind by the Ming and successively made use of in the Qing. When Yuan Shikai restored feudal rule, the throne was removed and substituted with a sofa of an indistinct design and style. For the duration of early time right after the liberation, experts on the Forbidden Town identified the authentic throne in a home furnishings warehouse. Just after a year’s mend, the throne was restored to its initial ailment.