On July 19th 2023 , the multilingual website of the Forbidden City Palace Museum- Beijing, China, People’s Republic of Chinawas officially released at the Digital Cultural Tourism Development Forum of the 2023 China Internet Civilization Conference! The website covers five languages: English, French, Russian, Japanese, and Spanish, and will meet the needs of audiences with different languages.
The multilingual website of the Palace Museum is committed to establishing an international website that is concise, clear, easy to use for overseas audiences, and fits the construction of the modern civilization of the Chinese nation, including tour guides, information, panoramic tours, online exhibitions, collection appreciation, cultural topics, etc. Rich immersive content describing of the most detail collection that housed within the Forbidden City collection….
Qing Dynasty, the emperor’s winter crown. The imperial crown is the crown and hat worn when wearing imperial robes. In the imperial attire system of the Qing Dynasty, imperial garb and imperial robes were the garments worn during major ceremonies, and were the highest-grade among the garments of the Qing Dynasty. The “Great Qing Hui Dian” of the Kangxi Dynasty records: “The emperor’s crown and attire were decided in the first year of Chongde, and the crown was inlaid with Dongzhu stones… It was decided in the 22nd year of Kangxi that in all grand ceremonies and altars and temples, the crown was inlaid with large Dongzhu stones. For the crown, the dress should be yellow, autumn fragrant, or blue… The queen’s crown dress: for any celebration ceremony, the crown should be set with east beads on the top, and the dress should be yellow, autumn fragrant, or blue.” By the time of the Qianlong Dynasty, the “Dynasty Ritual Utensils Illustration” described the costumes Made a more detailed classification. The ceremonial dress worn by the emperor during major celebrations consists of a court crown, court clothes, end cap, court beads, court belt, etc. When the emperor comes to the Taihe Hall to receive congratulations from princes and officials when he wears court robes for his wedding, he must also wear a court crown. This crown is the emperor’s winter crown.
Qing Dynasty, bright yellow kesi silk clouds and gold dragon pattern, leather edge men’s court robe. The court robe was the most important form of dress in the Qing Dynasty. It was the attire worn by emperors and empresses during court ceremonies. In addition to court crowns, formal attire also includes court robes, hoods, gowns, court beads, etc. The emperor must wear court robes when he holds a wedding ceremony to celebrate the Empress Dowager, and when he comes to the Taihe Palace to receive celebration gifts from princes, officials, and concubines. The court robe is in the style of a top and lower skirt, with a collar, arrow sleeves and a large placket on the right side. A sarong can also be worn over the court robe. This robe has a tapestry pattern of colorful clouds and golden dragons on a bright yellow ground and is trimmed with leather. It was probably worn by Emperor Guangxu when he held major ceremonies in winter.
“The sunset gradually sets in the west, and the sunset glow turns the sky red, as well as the locust forest and bamboo forest. There are fewer and fewer birds in the sky, but the gray starlings in the whole forest still don’t want to sleep prematurely. Look, these few days Just as they landed on the branches, those few flew up again… Inside and outside the woods, hundreds of birds were singing, calling for friends and chirping, like a waterfall falling into a deep stream, or like a stormy wave crashing on the beach. , the entire black locust forest and bamboo forest became a natural club.” The author of the essay “Gray Starling” is China’s first crane taming girl, Xu Xiujuan. She died in 1987 while rescuing an injured white swan from drowning. She was later Posthumously considered a martyr.
Today, we will get to know the gray starlings written by Xu Xiujuan. Gray starlings have a strong sense of community. In addition to moving in pairs during the breeding season, they often move in groups during the non-breeding period. In the Forbidden City, pay more attention to the grass or tall trees, you may be able to see them….
Qing Dynasty, Queen Xia Chaoguan inlaid with jewels and green velvet. The imperial crown is the most important among all kinds of crowns and hats. The various ornaments on the crown are symbols of the status and rank of the wearer. The more pearls inlaid on the top of the crown, the higher the status of the owner. The queen wears a crown of sable in winter and green velvet in summer. This queen’s crown is made of green velvet. There are three layers of phoenixes on the top of the crown. Seven birch-bark phoenixes and one Zhai are hung on silk threads on the top of the crown. The hanging beads are in the “five elements and two” style. It is one of the highest-ranking symbols in the crown of a concubine. First, it is the Xia Dynasty crown worn by empresses and empress dowagers of the Qing Dynasty when they wore formal clothes…
“Puzzle Figure” is a traditional toy in the Qing palace. It was designed by Tong Yegeng in the first year of Tongzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1862) based on the “Tangram”. It is composed of 15 different wooden boards, which are arranged and combined according to the principle of Bagua. The graphics that can be assembled are more abundant than the “tangram”. On the base of this “wooden puzzle picture”, an unknown prince or princess also drew a pony, which is very childlike and very cute. The cultural relics in the picture are on display in the exhibition
Qing Dynasty, coral carvings with 囍 characters and patterns on the beads. Chaozhu is a kind of pendant in the Qing Dynasty, hung around the neck and hanging on the chest. When the concubines of the Qing Dynasty wear court clothes, they must wear three strings of court beads, one hanging in the middle and two hanging crosswise. Depending on the rank, the beads worn are also different, so it is also a symbol of identity and status. The Queen’s Chaozhu belongs to the highest level. The queen wears a court robe and must wear a string of East beads on the front of her chest and two strings of coral beads on her armpits. This piece of court beads is made of red coral beads engraved with the character “囍”. The Buddha’s head and the pagoda are made of lapis lazuli. Yellow sash, used for the queen’s wedding
If you want to learn a foreign language, where should you start? This “Mongolian” study book by Emperor Qianlong can be used for our reference. In 1743, when Emperor Qianlong was on an eastward tour, he began to systematically learn Mongolian in order to communicate with the Mongolian princes and nobles he met along the way. In this book “Mongolian”, the translated Mongolian words are transcribed from Manchu letters to facilitate understanding and learning; in terms of content, it is mainly suitable for scenes such as meeting lamas in the Mongolian and Tibetan areas. It is highly targeted and focuses on phrases and sentences. , mostly contain spoken language components. “How’s the journey? When did you arrive?” “Is there snow on the road?” “How is the year?” It seems that regardless of ancient and modern times, to master a foreign language, most of them start with “300 Practical Conversational Sentences”!
Autumn leaves are still red, rustling and cold wind blows. Today is the beginning of winter , under the clear sky and setting sun, it is the early winter of Falling in Love with the Forbidden City .
Qing Dynasty, silver and gold-plated beaded stone collar. The collar, also known as a collar, was an accessory worn on the necks of concubines in the Qing Dynasty to distinguish their status. It was very valuable in the royal dowry of the Qing Dynasty. “The Qing Hui Dian Diagram·Crown Clothes·Contract” stipulates: “The Queen’s contract is engraved with gold and decorated with eleven east beads, with coral in between. There are two yellow sash hanging at both ends, with coral in each middle, and turquoise at the end. Two of each.” The higher the user’s status, the more Eastern beads will be inlaid. The same is used for concubines, concubines and concubines. This necklace is made of gold-plated silver, carved with hollow curly grass patterns, inlaid with two sections of rubies, two sections of ink jade, inlaid with red stones and pearls at intervals, tied with a golden ribbon, and four red and green stones at the corners.
During the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, women’s court robes were made of bright yellow silk embroidered with colorful clouds, bats and 囍 characters and gold dragon patterns. The queen’s dress consists of court crown, court robe, court gown, court beads, gold covenant and collar covenant, etc. It is made like the emperor’s dress. When the emperor receives congratulations from the court on his wedding day, the queen must also wear court robes, crowns, collars, court beads, colorful silk ribbons, etc. This queen’s court robe has a large placket with right flap, round collar, horse hoof sleeves, attached collar, and straight body style. The court robe is bright yellow, with silk embroidered with the word “囍”, colorful clouds and golden dragon patterns. It should be worn by the empress at the wedding of Emperor Tongzhi.
During the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty, he wears a green gown with clouds, bats and emblems, and a golden dragon pattern. This gown was worn by the concubines of the Qing Dynasty when celebrating grand ceremonies. It is slightly shorter than the court robe and is worn over the court robe. The gown has a round collar, double lapel, sleeves, and left and right trains. The whole body is decorated with colorful silk and gold embroidery patterns, with two flat gold embroidered dragons on the chest and back. The embroidered seawater cliff is densely covered with colorful clouds and the word “囍” pattern, which is suitable for the wedding.
Qing Dynasty, gold hoop inlaid with rubies and red satin color. Caixi is a kind of scarf used by the imperial concubines in the Qing Dynasty. It is mostly made of silk and satin and is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom. When in use, it is hung on the second button of the court gown and hangs down on the chest. This colorful silk ribbon is made of red silk with embroidered patterns on the front such as bats, Ganoderma lucidum, peach fruits, the Eight Immortals, and seawater cliffs. The upper end is a green and white jade ring, with eight groups of sixteen pendants, and various gemstones at the bottom. A red coral flat bead with a dragon pattern is dropped from the top of the yellow ribbon, and a tourmaline drop is placed on each corner of the gold lace support. The colors and embroidered decorations of different colored silk ribbons can be used to distinguish the rank of concubines.
What did the ancient “coach” look like… In, we reviewed the scene of the autumn sentry deer in the Qing Dynasty palace. In addition to setting up ambushes for hunting, horseback shooting is also a national skill developed by the Manchus in their long-term hunting life. It was designated as a “national policy” in the Qing Dynasty and an important assessment subject for members of the Eight Banners. The Xi Yi Huating exhibition at Prince Gong’s Mansion Museum displays several Qing court riding and archery equipment, including bows and arrows, quivers and saddles. The photo materials in the exhibition hall also show an important prop for learning equestrian-a wooden saddle, which can be called an ancient version of a “coach” and provides a window for us to understand the riding and shooting culture of the Qing Dynasty..
In the 1920s, Wanrong dressed up in old photos for her wedding. Guo Bulo Wanrong (1906-1946), courtesy name Muhong and nickname Zhilian, was a native of Zhengbai Banner in Manchuria and the wife of Emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty. Wanrong and Puyi got married in 1922, and the wedding was held in the Forbidden City, imitating the emperor’s wedding ceremony. During the wedding, Wanrong wore court clothes, a court crown on her head, a collar and court beads around her neck. She was dressed according to the Qing Dynasty queen’s dress. This is an old photo from that time….
Emperor Kangxi was very interested in natural science subjects such as mathematics, astronomy, geography, pharmacology, anatomy, etc. Among them, the best results were in mathematics and astronomical calendar. Mathematics subjects such as geometry, algebra, trigonometry, and logarithms laid a good mathematical foundation for his future decisions such as advocating science and regulating the Yellow River. He also personally taught the princes how to use telescopes and observed solar eclipses together. The XiYiHuating exhibition at Prince Gong’s Mansion Museum displays Qing Dynasty drawing tools, logarithmic tables, telescopes and other cultural relics..
Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, gilded copper chimes with cloud and dragon patterns; Qingkuan et al. of the Qing Dynasty, pictures of wedding celebrations, edicts and banquets (details). The emperor’s wedding is one of the most important ceremonies in the palace. During major ceremonies, there is a Zhonghe Shao music band under the east and west eaves of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Zhonghe Shao music belongs to ancient court music and has the highest standard among the music systems of the Qing Dynasty. Zhonghe Shao music was used in the wedding ceremonies of emperors in the Qing Dynasty, which was a symbol of the supreme status of the emperor and empress. During the emperor’s wedding ceremony, Zhonghe Shao music was played when the emperor ascended and descended.
Chime bells are an important instrument in Zhonghe Shao music. They are the “gold” musical instruments in the “eight tones”. There are a set of sixteen pieces, including twelve regular temperaments and four double temperaments (bass). The bell is gold-plated, with double dragon buttons, chiseled with cloud and dragon patterns, and is oval and hollow, with respective names cast on the back. When Zhonghe Shao music is played, the bells and chimes ring in harmony, and the golden sound vibrates.
During the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, jasper chimes were made with golden clouds and dragon patterns. Chimes and bells are both important instruments in Zhonghe Shao music. The musical instruments used in Zhonghe Shao music are made of eight materials: gold, stone, silk, bamboo, gourd, soil, leather and wood. They are called eight tones, with a total of sixteen types. When the grand ceremony is held, Zhonghe Shao music is set up under the eaves of Taihe Hall. The “stone” in the “eight tones” of the chime is a musical instrument, with a set of sixteen pieces, and the name of the chime is the same as that of the chime. The thickness of the chime body adjusts the sound. This chime is made of Hetian jasper in Xinjiang and decorated with golden cloud and dragon patterns on both sides. It was made in the 29th year of Qianlong’s reign (1764)…
The beautiful elf yellow-rumped warbler, commonly known as “Tree Chuan’er”, is a small bird in the Forbidden City and difficult to identify. This little bird is not only beautiful to look at, but also has a nice chirping sound, which is loud, melodious and changeable. Commonly found in the middle and upper crowns of trees and some shrubs, it flies and jumps short distances between tree branches. In warm and sunny weather, it is relatively active in singing and foraging. The yellow-rumped warbler is a migratory bird in urban Beijing, mainly during its migration in spring and autumn. The chance of encountering it is relatively high from April to May and October to November every year…
The Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, the gold-plated copper bell at the entrance of Yongniu Bridge was Zhonglu. Bells and special chimes are important ritual instruments used exclusively in the Qing palace and Shao music. In the twenty-sixth year of Qianlong’s reign (1761), Emperor Qianlong imitated the shape of ancient bells and made a set of twelve bells with gold-plated copper. Each bell was hung separately. The pitch was adjusted by the size of the bell body, and the sound of the bell became louder. The lower. Before the band plays, the bells are struck once, and at the end of the music, the chimes are struck once to create a golden sound.
During the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, a special chime made of jasper depicting golden clouds and dragon patterns was produced. After Emperor Qianlong cast the bell, in order to complete the ritual and music system, he also added a set of twelve special chimes in the same year, one for each, and they were used in the same way as the bell. The special chime is made of a whole piece of Xinjiang Hotan jasper and is crafted by Suzhou jade craftsmen. The body of the chime is obtuse-angled rectangular, with both sides decorated with golden clouds and dragon patterns. The gold and green contrast with each other, and the decoration is gorgeous. On the left and right sides of the upper part of the stand are phoenix heads. The page board is decorated with phoenixes pierced by peony patterns, and the lower part supports a reclining duck.
There are twelve special chimes in a set, corresponding to the twelve rhythms made in the Qing Dynasty. The pitch is adjusted by the size of the chime body. The larger the chime, the lower the pronunciation. Each chime is hung separately, so it is called special chime. When used, different special chimes are chosen according to the rules for each month, such as “Taicu” corresponding to the first month, and so on. The use of special chimes reflects the political concept of Emperor Qianlong advocating Confucian ritual and music education…
Daju, who was covered in autumn fat, couldn’t resist the howling autumn wind and started playing “hide and seek” under the stone fence. This weekend, have you decided where to go to “cat”?
Yellow satin embroidered cloud and dragon pattern (replica). Hui was the commanding tool of Heshao music in court performances in the Qing Dynasty. When the music was under his command, the music was composed, and when it was under his command, the music stopped. The main body of the robe is made of bright yellow cloud satin, embroidered with colorful rising dragons, clouds and fire beads. The upper part is made of blue satin, embroidered with nebulae. In the middle is the sun wheel, with the word “中和” embroidered on it. The lower end is embroidered with seawater and river cliffs. The upper and lower parts of the muzzle are pierced with gold-painted crossbars, with double dragons carved on the upper part and landscapes carved on the lower part. The harem is hung on a red pole, the end of the pole is decorated with a copper-plated dragon head, and the lower part is inserted into a gold-lacquered wooden base. The chariot shown in the picture is a replica, and the red pole and stand are left over from the Qing palace
“Roasted pears” is a popular snack on the streets in autumn and winter today. The middle of the pear is hollowed out, filled with red dates, rock sugar and other ingredients, and then slowly roasted in the oven. The roasted pears are soft in the mouth, sweet and mellow. Chinese people have a long history of eating pears, and they eat them in different ways. Fresh food is the most common, and steaming and boiling are also common practices. There is a poem that goes, “The old man in the Tian family has nothing to do, and the pear steamed in the steamer during the day has a dull fragrance.” In ancient times, The method of roasting pears is similar to today’s roasted pears. The story of “burning pears to give secretion” in the Tang Dynasty is well known. In addition, there is also a poem in the poem, “I still remember the wind and snow in the official Chengcheng, and the fire burned pears together at night.” Burning pears is the joy of gathering around the fire at night.
There are many ways to eat pears, which one do you prefer?
Images and visuals are from – Forbidden City –Palace Museum Beijing- China –People’s Republic of China…..
