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The Palace of Heavenly Purity is a double-eaved building, and set on a single-level white marble platform. It is connected to the Gate of Heavenly Purity to its south by a raised walkway. In the Ming Dynasty, it was the residence of the Emperor. The large space was divided into nine rooms on two levels, with twenty-seven beds. For security, on any one night the Emperor would randomly choose from any of these beds. This continued through the early Qing Dynasty.
After Emperor Yongzheng ascended the throne, he lived in Yang Xing Dian (Hall of Moral Cultivation) . The Palace of Heavenly Purity then became the Emperor's audience hall, where he held court, received ministers and emissaries, and held banquets. At the centre of the Palace, set atop an elaborate platform, is a throne and a desk, on which the Emperor wrote notes and signed documents during councils with ministers.
In the Qing Dynasty, after an emperor passed away, his coffin was kept in this hall, to prove that he died peacefully. After the memorial ceremony, the coffin was moved to Guan De Dian (Hall for Observing Military Virtue) in Jinshan (prospect Hill) Park. Finally, the funeral ceremony was held and deceased emperor was buried in he imperial mausoleum.
The "Heir Apparent Box", a system secretly set up by Emperor Yongzheng, was placed behind the board inscribed with the words "Zheng Da Guang Ming" 'Open and Aboveboard). The name of the emperor's successor, written by the emperor himself, was kept in this box. After the emperor passed away, the secretly appointed crown prince would ascend the throne.
Qian Qing Gong and Kun Ning Gong (Hall of Earthly, Tranquility) were where the emperors and empresses lived. According the "Book of Changes" "Qian" refers to heaven, and "Kun" do earth. Flanking the palaces are named Ri Jing (Gate of Sun Excellence) en Yue Hua (Gate of Lunar Glory), implying "Heaven and earth are bright under the sun and moon, and the whole world is open and peaceful". |
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