The smaller, brighter Corridor of Central Concord, to the north, was used for imperial acts similar to receiving obeisance or analyzing authorities paperwork. Farther north is the Corridor of Preserving Concord—a reputation that alluded to the imperial operate of sharing concord underneath heaven. It was used underneath the Ming because the emperor’s place to don ceremonial garments. Below the Qing, it was the setting for banquets with heads of state, nobles, and ministers.

Realm of the dragon

Dragons in lots of cultures are seen as fire-breathing monsters, however Chinese language dragons are highly effective, benevolent bringers of life—supreme creatures who management the waters and rains. All through Chinese language historical past, the dragon has additionally been related to imperial energy, going again to the primary emperor of unified China, Qin Shi Huangdi (r. 221-210 B.C.). The connection between emperors and dragons is made plain contained in the Corridor of Supreme Concord, the place the Dragon Throne sits. The Ming dynasty’s Jiajing emperor (r. 1521-1567) is believed to have been the primary ruler to make use of it.

Surrounded by dragons, the elevated throne is ornately embellished with gold and treasured stones. 5 coiled dragons seem on the again, representing the 5 parts (steel, wooden, water, hearth, and earth). Behind it’s a carved panel depicting 9 dragons. Simply above, the picture of a coiled dragon adorns the intricately coffered ceiling. When an emperor, clad in ceremonial robes embellished with the dragon emblem, took his place on the throne, he was seen as being on the epicenter not simply of China however of the civilised world. This displays the truth that China known as Zhongguo, “central state” or “center kingdom.”