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Summary

In this video, Andrés Cervantes explores the rich history of the Forbidden City, the imperial palace in Beijing, China. He covers its origins from the Mongol Empire under Kublai Khan to its transformation during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The palace's architectural symbolism, with elements based on yin and yang, and its role as the seat of Chinese emperors are detailed. The video also highlights the Forbidden City’s evolution, from a secluded imperial residence to its modern-day role as a museum, and its survival through wars and restorations. A must-watch for history and architecture enthusiasts.

Takeaways

• 🏯 The Forbidden City, located in the center of Beijing, was the imperial palace for 500 years and served as the home of emperors.
• 🏹 The origins of Beijing as a capital city date back to 1272 when Kublai Khan moved the capital of the Mongol Empire to Cambalú (modern-day Beijing).
• 💥 In 1368, the Ming Dynasty expelled the Mongols and moved the capital to Nanjing, later returning to Beijing under Emperor Zhu Di.
• 🏰 The construction of the Forbidden City began in 1406, designed based on the yin-yang philosophy and feng shui principles.
• 🛡️ The Forbidden City was protected by a moat, an artificial river to the south, and a man-made mountain to the north, symbolizing spiritual harmony.
• 👑 The Forbidden City was divided into two main areas: the outer court (yang) for government affairs, and the inner court (yin) for the emperor’s family.
• 💔 Emperors typically lived in the Palace of Heavenly Purity while the empress resided in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, symbolizing the balance of yin and yang.
• 💥 In 1644, the Qing Dynasty took over and rebuilt the city, focusing on preserving Chinese traditions despite their Manchu origins.
• 🖼️ The Forbidden City was transformed into a public museum in 1925 after the fall of the last emperor, Pu Yi, and has since been restored and preserved.
• 🌍 The Forbidden City became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and underwent a major restoration to celebrate its 600th anniversary in 2020.

Q & A

What was the original capital of the Mongol Empire before it was moved to what is now Beijing?

The original capital of the Mongol Empire was Karakorum before it was moved to Janbalic (Cambalú), which is modern-day Beijing.

Why did the third emperor of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Di, move the capital from Nanjing to Beijing?

Zhu Di moved the capital from Nanjing to Beijing for strategic reasons. He faced potential enemies, including Mongol pressure from the north, and wanted to be in a safer, more defensible position.

What symbolic significance did the design of the Forbidden City have according to Chinese traditions?

The design of the Forbidden City was based on the principles of yin and yang. The layout followed a north-south axis, with yang (the warm south) and yin (the cold north). The emperor’s palace was symbolic of his role as the Son of Heaven, with 9,999 rooms to mirror the palace of the supreme god, who was believed to live in a 10,000-room palace on the polar star.

How did the construction of the Forbidden City incorporate feng shui principles?

According to feng shui, there should be a mountain to the north and a river to the south of the palace. Since these natural features were absent, an artificial river was built to the south and a man-made mountain was created to the north to balance the spiritual energy and protect the palace from northern winds.

What was the purpose of the outer and inner courtyards of the Forbidden City?

The outer courtyard, located in the southern yang area, was for governmental and ceremonial purposes, while the inner courtyard, in the northern yin area, was a residential space reserved for the emperor, his family, and his women.

How were women in the Forbidden City organized in terms of hierarchy?

Women in the Forbidden City were strictly hierarchical. The emperor had one empress, a limited number of consorts, and an unlimited number of concubines. The empress resided in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, and other women were distributed among 12 palaces, 6 on each side of the central axis.

What changes did the Qing dynasty make to the Forbidden City after conquering the Ming dynasty?

The Qing dynasty preserved Chinese traditions, including the structure of the Forbidden City. They rebuilt parts of the city that had been damaged during the conquest and added new buildings, such as the Palace of Longevity and Health and the retirement palace for Emperor Qianlong.

How did the British Opium Wars affect China and the Forbidden City?

The Opium Wars weakened China, leading to territorial losses and the opening of ports to foreign powers. The Forbidden City remained largely untouched, but the empire's stability was shaken, and China entered a period of decline. Empress Dowager Cixi later restored some order, ruling from behind a veil in the Forbidden City.

What role did Empress Dowager Cixi play in the Forbidden City’s history?

Empress Dowager Cixi was a low-ranking concubine who rose to power after the death of her husband, ruling behind the veil in the Forbidden City. She maintained control by placing young emperors on the throne and manipulating events from behind the scenes.

What happened to the treasures of the Forbidden City during World War II and the Chinese Civil War?

During the Japanese invasion in 1931, the treasures of the Forbidden City were evacuated to Nanjing, and later to Sichuan province for safekeeping. After World War II, most treasures returned to Beijing, but about 25% were taken by the nationalist government to Taiwan, where they remain in the Palace Museum.