Updated: 2007-06-04 09:03

The elaborate pageantry of the honor guards revealed the remaining prestige of the Qing Dynasty. Led by a horse troupe the two military bands performed both western and traditional Chinese music. Seventy-two dragon-and-phoenix umbrellas and flags, 30 pairs of imperial lanterns and various kinds of weapons held by the guards composed the imperial carriages.

Phoenix Sedan Chair

The phoenix sedan chair appeared last. Carried by 16 people, it was built for Guangxu's wedding, and was re-glazed for Puyi's use. The three-layered top of the sedan chair was decorated with golden and blue phoenixes. The yellow curtains were designed with phoenixes, colorful clouds, bats and flowers, which are symbols of good fortune, happiness and longevity in traditional Chinese culture.

Meanwhile, the would-be empress was being dressed at her home. Her hair was done in two buns and decorated with two ruyi, an S-shaped ornamental object, symbolizing good luck. When the phoenix sedan chair arrived, the empress, dressed in a dragon-and-phoenix robe, performed a series of formal salutations including six risings, three kneelings and three bows, before she was covered with a red kerchief and seated on the sedan chair.

A total of 3,000 people escorted the empress to the imperial palace, while tens of thousands of citizens gathered in the streets to view the spectacular occasion, even thoughit was three in the morning.

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