History
The Hall of Supreme Harmony was built in the Ming Dynasty and it is was in ruins at the subside of the Ming dynasty.
For more info Imperial construction.
The hall has conventional its proficiency statement after it was built in the years of Qing Emperor Shunzhi. In 1669, it was renovated and difficult, large scale reconstruction was over and finished along in the midst of in 1695. The hall’s 9-rooms width was modified to an 11-room width, but the main hall kept its indigenous design, as a result as to demonstrated the relationship of the number 9 and 5 which lecture to to the emperor. The floor appearance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony covers 2,377 square meters and its culmination is 35.05 meters high. It is the tallest and largest hall along together along plus the palatial complexes of China.
Function
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties the hall was where grand court ceremonies were held. The grand occasion of Chinese Lunar New Year, the Emperor’s birthday, the emperors enthronement, imperial wedding, the to the lead of generals to brawl and the announcement of busy candidates of the imperial testing ceremonies were every share of one held at the Hall of Supreme Harmony. One hours of daylight in the forward the emperor went to pray in the Temple of Heaven for rainfall, a courteous harvest as skillfully as for worshipping heaven, he was required to habit in the sacrificial writings in the hall.
Construction Pattern
Roof of the Hall
The Hall Supreme Harmony is an example of the highest class of the palace architecture following a double-eave hip-roof style. On both ends of its front ridge are glazed ornaments called dragon mouths which can quench blaze. The ornaments are not on your own decorations; these also have the accessory trial of stabilizing the ridge and preventing rain from leaking into the building. The Hall has the largest dragon mouth existing from imperial times. A dragon month was considered to have magic gaining. When one was made, the emperor would send first rank officials to greet it at the kiln; considering it was installed, a table was placed at the location for dynamic displease thus as to sham high regard to it. On the upturned eaves of the building, there are two rows of glazed nails where an immortal riding concerning the phoenix and 10 adding taking place mythical animals are placed. According to their customary order, the ten animals are the dragon, phoenix, lion, sea horse, heavenly horse, Yaya, Suanni, Douniu and Hangshi. The animals and nails are not deserted decorations;they as well as stabilize the glazed tiles approaching the roof. You can locate the immortal riding re a phoenix concerning every upturned eave in the Forbidden City, but the numbers of the animals are every option according to the class of the architecture. The animals are substitute starting from the halt of the dispute according to usual order and are always weird in number. For example, there is one animal for the Gate of Mental Cultivation; three for the watchtowers of the Forbidden City; five for the Palace of Gathering Excellence; seven for the Hall of Middle Harmony and nine for the Hall of Preserving Harmony. Ten animals were without help for buildings of the highest rank:The Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Pillars
The Hall of Supreme Harmony is supported by 72 pillars as well as 66 red pillars scattered regarding two sides. Six gold gilded pillars also coiling dragons are placed re both sides of the pessimistic throne.
Caisson
The caisson is assumed herald the Heavenly Well or Dragon Well. The one is the Hall of Supreme Harmony is circular at the peak and square towards the bottom. Being 1.8 meters in severity, it is composed of upper, center and degrade sections. The lowest section is a square expertly. The center is octagonal even if the upper section is circular. In the center of the caisson is a coiling dragon holding a over the top mirror in the month. The mirror hanging high taking place inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony represents the facility emperor.
Setting a caisson regarding the ceiling implies the dignity of the emperor. Apart from the Hall of Supreme Harmony,there are caissons inside the most important structures of the Forbidden City, such as the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Placement of caissons inside public altars and temples used to undertaking the pleasing adroitness of the Buddha and immortals. In partner in crime, the caisson as well as has the meaning of conquering flare.
Emperor’s Throne
The main exhibit in the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the throne of the emperor. The collective throne is covered bearing in mind Golden Dragons. Behind it stands seven screens carved when dragons and painted in golden paint. Above the throne is square caisson along in the middle of a dragon facing downwards. Six dragons carved upon the six golden painted pillars upon both sides of the throne. The dragons point of view the throne, showcasing imperial dignity. The throne is upon an upraised platform, surrounded by a palace aficionada, exasperate burners and cranes.
The throne was left at the rear by the Ming and successively used in the Qing. When Yuan Shikai restored feudal deem, the throne was removed and substituted back a couch of an formless style. During yet to be grow pass after the liberation, experts upon the Forbidden City discovered the indigenous throne in a furniture warehouse. After a year’s fasten, the throne was restored to its original condition.