(Hall
of Supreme Harmony)
As
the first and main hall of the three major halls of the outer court of the
Forbidden City, Tai He Dian is commonly known as the Hall of Golden Chimes.
First constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty, the hall was rebuilt several
times after a number of fires caused by lighting. The present Tai He Dian was
constructed in 1695. In the early Ming Dynasty, It was named Feng Tian Dian
(Hall for Ancestral Worship),
was renamed Huang Ji Dian (Hall of the Norms of Government)
in 1562 and later Tai He Dian in 1645. Constructed on a three-tiered
white
marble base, the hall is 11 bays wide, five bays deep, and 35.05 meters
high. With a wudian (thatched hall)
style of four fully hipped double roofs, this ancient building has a
construction area of 2,377 square meters. The eave corners are decorated with 10
animals, an example of the decoration on China’s ancient buildings.
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| Nebengebäude an der nördlichen Platzseite zwischen Taihemen und Taihedian | Nebengebäude an der südlichen Platzseite zwischen Taihemen und Taihedian |
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| Nebengebäude an der Platzseite zwischen Taihemen und Taihedian | Nebengebäude südlich neben der Halle der Höchsten Harmonie (Taihedian) |
The
hall is paved with high-quality square clay bricks, commonly known as ”golden
bricks.” The throne Is located on the axial line of the Imperial Palace. Above
the throne there is a board with an inscription written by Emperor Qianlong,
reading ”Jian Ji Sul You’ (People’s Sovereign and Great Plan). The caisson
in the center of the ceiling has a carved crouching dragon with a bright pearl (known
as “Xuanyuan Mirror”) in its mouth. Arranged around the terrace in front of
the hall are a sundial and grain measure-symbols of imperial power, as well as
bronze turtles and cranes-symbols of longevity.
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Halle der Höchsten Harmonie (Taihedian) |
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Treppenaufgang zur Halle der Höchsten Harmonie (Taihedian) |
Halle der Höchsten Harmonie (Taihedian) |
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Kranich vor der Halle der Höchsten Harmonie (Taihedian) |
Schildkröte vor der Halle der Höchsten Harmonie (Taihedian) |
During
the Ming and Qing dynasties, important ceremonies and celebrations were held at
Tai He Dian, such as the lunar New Year, the Winter Solstlce, the birthday of
the emperor, the enthronement of a new emperor, installing an empress,
announcing the names of successful candidates in official examinations and
sending generals out to battle. The words ”Tai He” come from The Book of
Changes, meaning ”harmonious
operation of all things on earth”.
