Dragon decorations: Guardians of Forbidden City

chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2024-03-15 10:04
Share
Share - WeChat
A bronze dragon carving at the courtyard of Chuxiu Gong [Photo by Gu Caihua/cpanet.org.cn]

In traditional Chinese culture, the dragon has long been regarded as a symbol of auspiciousness, power and mystery. Among the rich legacies of Chinese history, the dragon totems in the Forbidden City are undoubtedly a captivating presence.

The Forbidden City, a magnificent architectural complex known as the "treasure of China", was once the royal palace of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, and it stands as the world's largest and most complete existing ancient wooden structure architectural complex. As one of the most important cultural totems in China, the dragon has always been a symbol of good fortune. In the Forbidden City, the dragons, whether hovering in the sky, leaping between beams, or hidden in the details, all narrate ancient stories.

In each corner of the Forbidden City, lifelike dragons in various shapes can be seen, showcasing not only exquisite craftsmanship, but also carrying deep historical and cultural connotations.

According to photographer Gu Caihua, those dragons perching on the roofs seem to be guarding the ancient palaces, while those dragons inlaid on beams appear to be telling the vicissitudes of history. These dragons are not merely decorations; they carry the essence of Chinese culture.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next   >>|
Photo

Related Stories

Top
BACK TO THE TOP
English
Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US