Meridian Gate
Era unverified
- The main entrance to the Forbidden City, where emperors issued decrees.
I am the Meridian Gate, the southern and largest gate of the Forbidden City, and the only entrance you may use to enter this imperial palace. Built in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, my plan is shaped like the character ‘凹’, derived from ancient que towers. My five arches serve distinct purposes: the central one was reserved for the Emperor alone, except for the Empress on her wedding day and the top three scholars leaving the exams. My protruding arms, known as the Five Phoenix Turrets, once witnessed the issuance of imperial proclamations and the reception of prisoners of war. Today, I have been transformed into a grand exhibition hall, embodying the dream of a ‘palace on earth’. Remember: I never executed anyone, but history always leaves its legends at my gate.
Sources
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