The Wumen Square is long and rectangular
standing at the end of the square. Wumen, also called the Meridian Gate, is the
grandest of the four gates in the Forbidden City.
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Meridian Gate |
It is the southern entrance of the Forbidden City. Since
Chinese emperors believed that they were sons of Heaven and should live in the
center of the universe, and they believed the Meridian Line went through the
Forbidden City, the gate was named so. The grand gate, consisting of five
openings, is the largest gate and main gate of the Forbidden City, 35.6 meters
high and surmounted by five pavilions, named Wufenglou (Five Phoenix Tower). In
Five Phoenix Tower, there are drums that were used to announce emperors'
departure to the Temple of Heaven and bells which to announce their departure to
the Ancestral Temple. Both toll to announce that the emperor was going to
receive his ministers in Taihedian (Hall of Supreme Harmony).
Houses on both sides of the square
are low, and the size of the two security houses under Wumen are purposefully
reduced to set off the towering Wumen. The left and right of Wumen extend
forward, thus expanding the level visual angle of scenery and enriching the
overall pattern.
The U-shaped plane has a very strong power
of expression. When people are getting near Wumen, the gigantic structures and
monotonous red city walls appear directly before them, giving them an
ever-stronger closed, constrained and intense feeling. It takes a longer time
for people to advance along the long middle road of the long square, so that
this feeling is further intensified.
In short, artists create a very powerful and
heart-stirring atmosphere through various techniques, so as to demonstrate that
the imperial authority is sacred and inviolable.
There were strict rules to follow when
people enter the Forbidden City. Entering through the central opening was the
emperors' exclusive privilege, while their empresses were allowed to go through
the opening once on their wedding day. The top three in the national
examinations, presided by emperors on the final stage, would be honored to strut
through the arched hole after receiving emperors' interview. The east opening
was for the ministers while the west opening was for the royal family. The other
openings were for petty officials. Ordinary people were forbidden to enter the
city.
In the ancient time, emperors would bestow
foods to ministers on days of important Chinese solar terms. On October 1 of
solar calendar every year, emperors would issue next year' calendar. After wars,
Emperors would receive captives themselves here. Also on the left side of the
Imperial Way, which goes through the central opening, baculine penalty would be
executed on those who offended emperors.