Imperial Tombs of the Ming Dynasty

Updated: 2007-06-11 08:58

Within Chinese thinking, the number "13" is not an inauspicious omen, except in the case of the Ming Dynasty imperial family. The 13th imperial family tomb marks not only the burial ground of Emperor Chongzhen himself, but also of the entire Ming Dynasty.

16 Emperors and 13 Tombs

The Ming Dynasty saw the reign of 16 emperors (excluding the last three who lived in exile after the downfall of the Ming Dynasty), over a period of 277 years. Thirteen of them are buried in Beijing in what are known today as the Thirteen Ming Tombs. Zhu Yuanzhang, founder of the Ming Dynasty, made Nanjing his capital, and died there. Therefore his tomb, still well preserved, is in Nanjing.

The second emperor whose tomb is not among the 13 tombs is Zhu's grandson, Emperor Huidi. He stripped a number of his imperial relatives of their land titles and privileges, and consequently made enemies. He was eventually ousted in 1403 by his fourth uncle, Zhu Di, and his whereabouts since have remained undiscovered. Some say he died in battle. Others believe he escaped and became a monk, and there are those that say he fled abroad.

The third Ming Emperor whose remains are not in the Thirteen Tombs is Daizong. He ascended to power after his emperor brother, Yingzong, had been captured in northern China in 1449. A year later, the captured emperor returned. In 1457, during a bout of ill health, Emperor Daizong was victim of a coup and placed under house arrest. Yingzong was reinstated as emperor, and immediately suspended construction of Daizong's resting place within the Thirteen Ming Tombs. Upon his death, Daizong was buried at Mount Jin in the western suburbs of Beijing. However, in 1465, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong, Daizong's imperial title was restored, and his tomb was repaired and expanded. Jingtai Mausoleum, named after the reign title of Daizong, is the only Ming imperial tomb in Beijing outside of the Ming imperial cemetery.

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