Traditional Chinese Culture of the Forbidden City of the Forbidden City: The Culture of the Palace of Supreme Harmony

故宫紫禁城之国学：太和殿金銮殿文化

The Chinese culture is extensive and profound, and is permeated with the realm of "harmony between man and nature".

----Zhuge Changqing

Chinese culture is broad and profound.

Chinese culture is permeated with the realm of "harmony between man and nature".

The Forbidden City (Forbidden City) in Beijing is a cultural symbol of the unity of heaven and man.

The architecture of the Forbidden City (Forbidden City) in Beijing embodies the breadth and depth of Chinese culture everywhere.

Zhuge Changqing believes that Chinese traditional culture runs through the process of historical development silently.

For example, King Wen of the Zhou Dynasty, Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Kangxi, and Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty are all masters of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. They put traditional culture through the development of history. Promote the healthy development of society.

Here, Zhuge Changqing shares the cultural materials of the Taihe Hall in the Forbidden City (Forbidden City) with the predestined. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is a point of the Forbidden City (the Forbidden City), but it contains deep traditional culture.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City (Forbidden City) in Beijing is commonly known as the "Golden Palace". It is the essence of the Han palace architecture and one of the three oriental halls.

What are the three main halls of the East? Zhuge Changqing looked up the data and found that the three halls mainly refer to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City of Beijing; Dacheng Hall of Qufu Confucius Temple; The ku à ng hall of Tai Shan Dai Temple.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest existing wooden structure hall in China. Located at the prominent position of the north-south main axis of the Forbidden City (Forbidden City) in Beijing, it was built in 1420 (the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty) and is called the Fengtian Palace. In the forty-first year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1562), it was renamed Huangji Hall, and in the second year of Shunzhi in the Qing Dynasty (1645), it was renamed today. After completion, it was burned and rebuilt many times. This hall was rebuilt in 1695, the 34th year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony was built in the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1420) and is called the Hall of Fengtian. In the forty-first year of Jiajing (1562), it was renamed Huangji Hall. In 1645, the name was changed. It has been burned and rebuilt many times. Today, we can see the shape after reconstruction in the 34th year of Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1695). It bears the roof of the double-eaved veranda and sits on three white marble steps. It is painted with gold dragons and seals. There are up to 11 immortals and animals on the roof and 11 rooms, all of which are of the highest shape. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is one of the largest existing wooden frame buildings in China. The plaque on the Hall of Supreme Harmony, "Jianji Suiyou", is the imperial pen of Emperor Qianlong. The existing plaque is a replica.

What is the meaning of the four words "Jianji Suiyou"?

Why did Emperor Qianlong write the four words "Jianji Suiyou" on the top of the Hall of Supreme Harmony?

Zhuge Changqing believes that this contains the profound thought of Chinese culture.

"Jianji Suiyou" is pronounced (ji à n j í su í y ó u);

What is the meaning of "Jianji Suiyou"? Zhuge Changqing believed that these four words could be explained as follows: as the emperor and the son of heaven, we should not only establish the strategy of stabilizing the country and conforming to the heaven, but also establish the road of national peace and stability. In this way, we can undertake the double sacred mission of "the emperor and the common people", and then realize "the everlasting stability of the country and the peace of the people".

Zhuge Changqing believed that Emperor Qianlong hung these four words in the Hall of Supreme Harmony to remind himself and his ministers to remember their mission at all times and should not be slack.

Build: establish and create.

Pole: The original meaning is the building on the ridge, which is extended to the highest principle of governance, namely, the way of heaven and the rule of justice.

Sui: The original meaning is the rope holding hands to get on the car, and the extended meaning is appeasement and compliance.

You: Tao, law.

Jianji: The book "Shang Shu · Zhou Shu · Hong Fan" was published: "The emperor built its pole". Build, build. Pole, medium. According to the legend of Kong'an State, the principle of "big and medium" is to establish the principle of "nine categories". The original meaning is "the building on the ridge", which is extended to the highest rule of governance of China. King Wu of Zhou defeated Yin and King Zhou of Shang set himself on fire. Jizi (uncle of King Zhou), who was imprisoned by King Zhou, regained his freedom. King Wu visited Jizi and asked him about the way of heaven. Jizi explained the great law of heaven and earth to him. "Hong Fan" means "grand law". The fifth article of Jizi's story is "Huangji", which means that the human king is the leader of the people. He should first establish a grand and moderate way, and then educate the people.

Sui You: The book Shangshu Shangshu Tanggao was published: "Only the emperor and God are loyal to the people. If there is perseverance, Sui Jue Youwei is the queen." Sui: The original meaning is the rope holding hands on the car, which is extended to appease and conform. You: Tao, law. Shang Tang attacked the tyrant Jie, and abolished the order of the Xia Dynasty. After returning to the capital of Bo, he showed the destruction of Jie Dayi Gao to the world, which was called Tang Gao. This sentence means that the Emperor of Heaven bestows the good way on the people, so that the people have constancy. Then the one who can follow his way is the Son of Heaven.

The emperors of the Qing Dynasty were all brilliant. The Manchu lineage has made outstanding contributions to the inheritance and development of traditional culture; From Shunzhi to Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong lasted for four generations. It was magnificent and brilliant. It can be said that it was a gift from heaven. Such a group of emperors, whose exquisite cultural cultivation directly affected the political and cultural style of the Qing Dynasty. A kind of politics with rich traditional cultural style, although not as gorgeous as the Tang Dynasty, was orthodox, profound, broad, classic and elegant.

The culture of the Qing Dynasty is rich in royal style, and its origin comes from the purest upper-class society in history, thus creating its majestic style, which is irresistible.

Among them, the most obvious manifestation is the achievements of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty in the philosophy of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Their broad and profound thinking and understanding of the world of life and the universe have formed their own special cultural style. From the plaque culture of the Forbidden City, we can see the "Tao" style of the imperial culture of the Qing Dynasty.

The plaque of "Jianji Suiyou" in the Hall of Supreme Harmony means to establish and follow the grand path of justice.

From this point of view, the highest ideal of the Qing Dynasty's emperors was to establish a peaceful and harmonious dynasty, which was intended to achieve this ideal by following the grand path of justice.

It also shows the realm of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. The size of your world depends on the size of your heart and realm. Those who do not have a "heavenly heart" cannot be emperors. No wonder they are called "the Son of Heaven".

The Hall of Supreme Harmony is actually used to hold various ceremonies, and it is rarely used. The places where the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties went to court were mainly at the Taihe Gate, the Qianqing Gate (for the Imperial Gate to listen to the government), the Qianqing Palace (where the emperor summoned the ministers when there were important or important events), and the Hall of Nourishing the Mind (for the late Qing Dynasty to listen to the government), which was not the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Twenty-four emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties held grand ceremonies in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, such as the emperor's accession to the throne, the emperor's wedding, the registration of the queen, and the appointment of the general to go on the expedition. In addition, the emperor received the greetings of civil and military officials here and gave a banquet to the princes and ministers on the three major festivals of Longevity Day, New Year's Day, and the winter solstice. Zhuge Changqing believed that the Hall of Supreme Harmony was the place where important national events were released and courtiers met every month, so as to reflect the emperor's great talent and strategy of ruling the country. The Hall of Supreme Harmony is also the center of the emperor.

At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, there was also a new imperial examination held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. From the fifty-fourth year of Qianlong's reign (1789), it was held in the Hall of Baohe, and the "Chuanlu" was still held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. As for the place where the emperor went to court, in fact, it was not in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties, the emperor generally went to court at the Gate of Supreme Harmony and the Gate of Qianqing, which was called the Imperial Gate for hearing. When there was something urgent or important, the emperor summoned the ministers at the Palace of Qianqing. In the late Qing Dynasty, the Empress Dowager Cixi hung down to hear the government, and the place of the court became the Hall of Nurturing the Heart.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest and highest building in the Forbidden City. It is 11 rooms wide, 5 rooms deep, 64 meters long and 37 meters wide, with a building area of 2377.00 m2 and a height of 26.92m, and a height of 35.05m connecting with the platform base. It is the largest building in the Forbidden City, with the highest level and the largest volume.

There is a broad platform in front of the hall, known as the Danhe, commonly known as the platform. On the platform, there are one sundial and one Jialiang, one pair of copper turtles and one pair of copper cranes, and 18 copper tripods. Turtles and cranes are symbols of longevity. The sundial is an ancient timepiece, and the Jialiang is an ancient standard measuring instrument. Both are symbols of imperial power. His highness is a three-layer marble stone base with a height of 8.13m, surrounded by railings. A stone faucet for drainage is installed under the railing, which can show the wonder of thousands of dragons spitting water in rainy season. Zhuge Changqing: These all reflect the core of the imperial culture.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony, with its high architectural regulation and exquisite decorative techniques, ranks first in ancient Chinese architecture. On the top of the Hall of Supreme Harmony is the double-eaved veranda with the highest architectural form. The roof ridge is 3.40m high and weighs about 4300k ɡ On the bifurcated ridge of ancient Chinese architecture, the Great Kiss of the People's Republic of China is decorated with tiles. The arrangement of these tiles animals has strict regulations, and the number varies according to the level of the building. The most is the decoration on the Palace of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City (a total of 10), which is unique in the history of Chinese Han palace architecture. Shows the supreme importance.

The first ornament is a man riding a phoenix fairy. It is said that he was originally the King of Qi Ming in the Southern Dynasty and later became immortal. After the immortals are ten small animals: dragon, phoenix, lion, Tianma, seahorse, Lion Dragon, fish, Xie Zhi, bullfight, and Xingshi. In other ancient buildings, a maximum of nine beasts are generally used. There is a strict hierarchy limit here, and only the Hall of Supreme Harmony can be complete in ten kinds. There are seven Zhonghe Hall and nine Baohe Hall. The Zhenwa beasts on the other halls are descending by level. There are only nine on Tiananmen Square. Zhuge Changqing: The holy beast of the Forbidden City, which forebodes the protection of heaven.

The decoration of the Hall of Supreme Harmony is very gorgeous. Dense dougongs are placed under the eaves, and the interior and exterior beams and braces are decorated with the highest level of seals. The upper part of the door and window is inlaid with rhombus pattern, the lower part is embossed with cloud dragon pattern, and the tenon is installed with gilded copper leaves engraved with dragon pattern.

The floor of the Hall of Supreme Harmony is paved with gold bricks (hence the name of Jinluan Hall) (because it requires a lot of money to build it). The floor of the Hall of Supreme Harmony is paved with 47118 large gold bricks with a square of two feet. But the golden bricks are not made of gold, but are specially made in Suzhou. Its surface is light black, oily, bright, non-smooth and non-smooth. Suzhou area has good soil quality and fine firing technology. It can only be used when it reaches the level of "knocking with sound, breaking without hole" after firing. The process of burning this brick is extremely complex. It takes at least one year to refine a brick.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony has a total of 72 large columns to support its entire weight, of which the top beam is the thickest and the largest, with a diameter of 1.06 meters and a height of 12.70 meters. Nanmu was used in the Ming Dynasty. It was collected from Sichuan, Guangzhou, Yunnan, Guizhou and other places. It was very difficult to adopt this kind of wood. Nanmu often grew in the deep mountains and forests. Therefore, officials and people risked their lives to take materials. There was a saying among the people that "one thousand (people) entered the mountain and five hundred (people) left the mountain". After the reconstruction in the Qing Dynasty, pine was used, which was collected from the deep mountains of the three northeastern provinces. In the bright room of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there is a nine-dragon gold-painted throne. On both sides of the throne are six giant columns with a diameter of 1.00m, and the gold foil is pasted in two colors, dark and light, to make the pattern prominent and bright.

There are four pairs of furnishings in front of the throne: Baoxiang, Luduan, Xianhe and Xiangting. The treasure image symbolizes the stability of the country and the consolidation of the regime; Luduan is a legendary auspicious animal; Crane symbolizes longevity; Fragrant pavilion implies the stability of rivers and mountains. In the middle of the ceiling above the throne is a raised caisson shaped like an umbrella. In the center of the caisson is carved a giant dragon lying on its back, with its head down and its mouth holding a pearl. Zhuge Changqing: The setting of the throne indicates that the Son of Heaven is here, there are many talents, health and longevity, and the country is stable.

Ornaments on the eaves of the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Jinluan Hall). From the left, the first is the man riding the phoenix, the second is the Owl Kiss (pronounced chi wen, one of the nine sons of the dragon), the lion, the sea horse, the heavenly horse, the fish, the Lion Dragon, the Xie Zhi, the bullfight, and the Xingshi. The more decorations, the higher the building level.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony is the only building with ten decorations. On the bifurcated ridges of ancient Chinese buildings, there are some small animals. The arrangement of these small animals has strict regulations, and the number varies according to the level of the building. The most important is the decoration on the Taihe Hall of the Forbidden City.

Why ride a phoenix with a fairy before the heavy ridge? Legend: King Qi, the ruler of the State of Qi, failed in a battle and came to the bank of a big river. There was no way to go. The rear soldiers were about to arrive. In a crisis, suddenly, a big bird flew in front of him. The king of Qi hurriedly rode on the big bird and crossed the river to turn bad luck into good luck. The ancients put it on the ridge of the building, which also means flying on a phoenix to turn bad luck into good luck.

Why should we choose these small animals to place on the ancient buildings? Sort order:

1. Owl kiss (one of the nine sons of the dragon), who likes to look around most, is often decorated on the eaves.

2. Phoenix, the king of birds in ancient Chinese legend, is often used to symbolize auspicious omen and also to describe people with holy virtues. According to the "Historical Records · Biography of the Japanese", "Phoenix is not in group with the sparrows." This fully reflects the supreme and noble status of the feudal emperors.

3. The lion represents bravery and majesty. "The Beacon Record" records: "... - The lion roars: 'The sky and the world are all above me'. The lion roars, and the herd of animals frightens."

4. Tianma, symbolizing Weide's access to the sky and the sea.

5. Haima, the embodiment of luck in ancient Chinese mythology.

6. Suan ni, a beast of the same kind as the lion, is also said to be one of the nine sons of the dragon.

7. The fish is a strange animal in the sea, and the legend and the Lion Dragon are the gods of raising clouds and making rain, fighting fire and preventing disasters.

8. Xie Zhi, a legendary beast in ancient China, is similar to a lion. It is said in Foreign Material Records that "there are beasts in the Northeast wilderness, named Xiezhi". In the first place, people who are loyal to others will not touch straight when they see others fighting, and those who are not right when they hear others talking. It can distinguish between straight and straight lines, and is also called "God sheep". It is a symbol of bravery and justice.

9. Bullfighting is said to be a kind of dragon. According to the book "Chen Yuan Zhi Lue", "There are bullfighting in the sea in the west, that is, Qiu Di [next to the insects] and so on. When it is cloudy and rainy, it often winds along the road to the Jin'ao Jade Building." It is a kind of auspicious rain ballast to eliminate disasters.

10. Xingshi, a winged monkey with wings on its back, holds a diamond pestle. It is said that the pestle has the effect of subduing demons. It is named "Xingshi" because it ranks the tenth. It is quite like the legendary Lei Gong, and is probably a symbol of lightning protection.

The only thing that can be seen is the ridge beast in the ancient architecture, which is on the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Arranging these small animals in order at the high cornices symbolizes the elimination of disasters, the recovery of good fortune, and the removal of evil and the justice of justice. The ancients decorated the buildings with these beasts, making the ancient buildings more magnificent, magnificent and full of artistic charm. Zhuge Changqing: The emperor is the Son of Heaven, and is protected by the divine beasts of heaven.

The Palace Museum has the most exquisite workmanship, the most luxurious decoration, the highest grade and the most exquisite carving ū） The gold-painted cloud and dragon pattern throne is located on the high platform of the seven steps in the center of the hall, and behind it are seven large gold-painted screens carved with cloud and dragon patterns. It was made during the reign of Jiajing (1522-1566) in the Ming Dynasty. It is 172.5 cm high, 158.5 cm wide and 79 cm deep. There are 13 golden dragons winding around the chair ring, the largest one standing in the center of the chair back with its head high; There is no usual chair leg under the chair surface, but a Xumi base, which is carved with two dragons and beads in the waist, and painted with gold paint. Around them, there are elephant treasure bottles that symbolize peace and image, Luduan, which symbolizes the wise monarch and the wise people, cranes that prolong life, and incense burners and incense tubes for burning incense. In the hall, the six bright columns near the throne and the painted dragons on the beams and braces are all gilded with asphalt powder. The dragon-capped caisson above the throne is also covered with gold paint, which shows the luxurious atmosphere of the "Jinluan Palace". It is enough to see how noble the person sitting on the throne is. Zhuge Changqing: The emperor is the Son of Heaven. He should be on the throne.

What did the ancient Chinese royal family bring to the temple? What kind of treasure is hidden on the beams of the Hall of Supreme Harmony? At the time of the 300-year overhaul of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Forbidden City has now revealed five mysterious talismans hidden in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The five amulets are consecrated in a very regular manner, with the amulets in the center of the caisson platform above the Xuanyuan mirror in the center of the Hall of Supreme Harmony as the center, and one in the east, west, north, south and four directions facing the center respectively. Fupai is also known as "Fupai" because it is carved with the Shenfu of the town hall. In the center of the sign is about 37.5 cm high and 23 cm wide. It is made of Gaolimu, which is produced in the northeast. It is fronted with incense burner, wax stand and ganoderma lucidum. The front of the sign is divided into four layers from top to bottom. It is composed of the Buddhist mantra, the gods and the map of the Big Dipper, and the back of the sign is composed of the seventy-two signs of the town hall. It can be said to be a magic sign of the town hall.

According to the records in the Qing Dynasty Palace's "Records of the Work Done by the Manufacturing Office", on August 12, the ninth year of Yongzheng's reign (1731), Yongzheng decreed to install a brass board at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and a wooden board at the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Palace of Qianqing. It can be seen from this that at least one of the signs here should be enshrined in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the ninth year of Yongzheng. Experts from the Forbidden City said that the ninth year of Yongzheng was the time when Emperor Yongzheng was entangled in illness and asked Taoist to cure him. The Buddhist mantras on this card include both the classical mantras of Chinese Buddhism and the heart mantras and mantras of Tibetan Buddhism, which is obviously the form of Sino-Tibetan integration.

The golden throne in the Taihe Hall of the Forbidden City (also known as "the throne painted with gold and dragon patterns") is the most prominent chair in the Forbidden City. The throne made of nanmu is 1.72 meters high, 0.49 meters high and 0.79 meters wide. The "circle chair" type chair back of the throne is carved with 13 flat dragons, with upright hair and teeth. Yunlong is carved on the back plate of the backrest in the middle. The high waist of the seat is carved with the pattern of two dragons playing with beads on all sides. Other patterns such as lotus petals, rolling grass, fire beads, and wishful clouds are all over the throne. The gold paint painted on the throne is made by using the "clay gold" method. The gold foil is finely ground in the glue. After the glue is removed and dried into powder, it is brushed onto the seat with the gold glue, and finally a layer of translucent yellowish paint is used. The color of the gold foil will remain unchanged and become brighter under the protection of the paint. The throne sits at the core of the central axis and overlooks the world against the same screen carved with dragon patterns.

Since 1963, the Palace Museum has used 13 experts from various types of work, including wood work, carving work, copper work, painting work, etc. It took 934 working days to repair the Golden Dragon throne and return to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in June 1964. The golden throne of the Taihe Palace in the Forbidden City, which was copied by Beijing Gold Lacquer Inlay Co., Ltd. in a 1:1 ratio, is now displayed in the exhibition hall of its restored time-honored store "Wuhua Garden".

(Reference materials for this article: the Forbidden City Taihe Hall and other network materials)

中华文化博大精深，处处洋溢着“天人合一”的境界。

---- 诸葛长青

   中华文化，博大精深。

   中华文化，处处洋溢着“天人合一”的境界。

   北京紫禁城（故宫），就是天人合一的文化象征。

   北京紫禁城（故宫）的建筑，处处体现着中华文化的博大精深。

       诸葛长青认为，中国传统文化默默的贯穿于历史发展过程。

   譬如：周朝的周文王、唐朝皇帝李世民、明朝皇帝朱元璋、清朝皇帝顺治、康熙、乾隆等等都是精通儒释道的大家，他们把传统文化贯穿于历史发展之中。推动社会健康发展。

   这里，诸葛长青与有缘者分享紫禁城(故宫)太和殿的文化资料。太和殿，是紫禁城（故宫）的一个点，但是这个点却包含了深深的传统文化。

   北京紫禁城（故宫）的太和殿俗称“金銮殿”，为汉族宫殿建筑之精华，东方三大殿之一。

   东方三大殿是哪三个？诸葛长青查阅资料，看到三大殿主要是指：北京紫禁城的太和殿；曲阜孔庙的大成殿；泰山岱庙的天贶（kuàng）殿。

   太和殿，是中国现存最大的木结构大殿。位于北京紫禁城（故宫）南北主轴线的显要位置，明永乐十八年（1420年）建成，称奉天殿。明嘉靖四十一年（1562年）改称皇极殿，清顺治二年（1645年）改今名。建成后屡遭焚毁，多次重建，今殿为清康熙三十四年(1695年)重建后的形制。
   太和殿于明永乐十八年（1420年）建成，称奉天殿。嘉靖四十一年（1562年）改称皇极殿。清顺治二年（1645年）改今名。屡遭焚毁，多次重建，今天所见为清代康熙三十四年（1695年）重建后的形制。上承重檐庑殿顶，下坐3层汉白玉台阶，采用金龙和玺彩画，屋顶仙人走兽多达11件，开间11间，均采用最高形制。太和殿为中国现存最大木构架建筑之一，太和殿匾额“建极绥猷”匾，为乾隆皇帝的御笔，现存的牌匾为复制品。

  “建极绥猷”四个字什么含义？

   乾隆皇帝为何把“建极绥猷”这四个字写在太和殿顶部？

   诸葛长青认为，这就包含了中华文化的深远思想。

   “建极绥猷”读音为（jiàn jí suí yóu）；

   “建极绥猷”含义是什么？诸葛长青认为，这四个字可以解释为：作为皇帝天子，既要建立顺应上天的安邦定国之策略，又要建立国泰民安之大道。如此，则可以承担起“上对的起皇天、下对的起庶民”的双重神圣使命，进而实现“江山永固、国泰民安”。

   诸葛长青认为，乾隆皇帝把这四个字挂在太和殿，是提醒自己和群臣们，时刻铭记使命，不可懈怠。

   建：建立、创设。
   极：原义为屋脊之栋，引申为上天之道、中正的治国最高准则。
   绥：原义为挽手上车的绳索，引申为安抚、顺应之意。
   猷：道，法则。

   建极：典出《尚书·周书·洪范》：“皇建其有极”。建，立也。极，中也。孔安国传云：大中之道，大立其有中，谓行九畴之义。原义为屋脊之栋，引申为中正的治国最高准则。周武王伐殷胜利，商纣王自焚。遭纣王囚禁的箕子（纣王叔父）重得自由。武王拜访箕子，请教天道，箕子为他讲解天地大法。“洪范”即“宏大的法则”。其中箕子讲述的第五条为“皇极”，意为人君为众民之主，当自己先建立宏大中正之道，然后教化人民。
   绥猷：典出《尚书·商书·汤诰》：“惟皇上帝，降衷于下民。若有恒性，克绥厥猷惟后。”绥：原义为挽手上车的绳索，引申为安抚、顺应之意。猷：道，法则。商汤讨伐暴君桀，革除夏朝的王命，回到国都亳之后，将伐桀大义诰示天下，即作《汤诰》。此句意为天帝将善道赋予下民，使民有常性，那么能顺乎其道的则为天子。

   清朝的皇帝皆是才华横溢。满族的血统，却于传统文化的传承发展上贡献卓著，登峰造极；从顺治到康熙雍正乾隆，历时四代，浩浩荡荡，才华横溢，可谓天赐龙品，风流盖世。这样一个帝王群体，其精湛的文化学养，直接影响了清王朝统治的政治与文化风格，一种具有浓郁传统文化风采的政治，尽管不如大唐那样华丽，但却正统、深厚、博大、经典而雅致。
   清朝的文化是富有皇家气派的文化，其源流来自于历史上最纯正的上流社会，以此造就了它威严的气派，势不可挡。

   其中表现最明显的便是清朝帝王在儒释道哲学思想上的造诣，他们对生命宇宙世界的宽广深刻的思考体悟，形成了他们自身特殊的文化风格。我们从故宫匾额文化中便能看出清朝皇家文化的“道”风。
   太和殿的这一块“建极绥猷”匾额，意即建立和遵循宏大的中正之道。
   由此看来，清朝皇帝治国的最高理想是建立一个太平和偕的王朝，意在通过遵循宏大的中正之道，实现这一理想。
   从中也看出清朝帝王的境界。一个人的心有多大，境界有多大，你的世界便有多大。非具“天心”者不能做帝王，难怪称“天子”。

   太和殿其实是用来举行各种典礼的场所，实际使用次数很少。明清皇帝上朝的地方主要在太和门、乾清门（为御门听政）、乾清宫（有大事或重要的事情时皇帝召见大臣所在地）、还有养心殿（清朝后期垂帘听政）的，并不是平时所说的太和殿。

   明清两朝24个皇帝都在太和殿举行盛大典礼，如皇帝登基即位、皇帝大婚、册立皇后、命将出征，此外每年万寿节、元旦、冬至三大节，皇帝在此接受文武官员的朝贺，并向王公大臣赐宴。诸葛长青认为，太和殿当时是国家重大事情发布、每月朝臣见面的地方，如此，才能体现帝王一统天下的雄才大略。太和殿，帝王中心也。

   清初，还曾在太和殿举行新进士的殿试，乾隆五十四年（1789年）始，改在保和殿举行，“传胪”仍在太和殿举行。关于皇帝上朝的地点，其实不在太和殿，纵观明清，皇帝一般都是在太和门、乾清门上朝，称御门听政，而当有比较紧急或重要的事情时，皇帝则在乾清宫召见大臣，晚清时期慈禧太后垂帘听政，上朝的地点也因此变为养心殿。
   太和殿是紫禁城内体量最大、等级最高的建筑物。它面阔十一间，进深五间，长64米，宽37米，建筑面积2377.00㎡，高26.92m，连同台基通高35.05m，为紫禁城内规模最庞大也是等级最高，体量最大的建筑。

   殿前有宽阔的平台，称为丹陛，俗称月台。月台上陈设日晷、嘉量各一，铜龟、铜鹤各一对，铜鼎18座。龟、鹤为长寿的象征。日晷是古代的计时器，嘉量是古代的标准量器，二者都是皇权的象征。殿下为高8.13m的三层汉白玉石雕基座，周围环以栏杆。栏杆下安有排水用的石雕龙头，每逢雨季，可呈现千龙吐水的奇观。诸葛长青：这些都体现这帝王文化的核心。
  太和殿，其建筑规制之高，装饰手法之精，堪列中国古代建筑之首。而太和殿之上为建筑形式最高的重檐庑殿顶，屋脊两端安有高3.40m、重约4300kɡ的大吻，在中国古建筑的岔脊上，都装饰有镇瓦，这些镇瓦兽排列有着严格的规定，按照建筑等级的高低而有数量的不同，最多的是故宫太和殿上的装饰（共有10个），这在中国汉族宫殿建筑史上是独一无二的。显示了至高无上的重要地位。

   第一个饰物是一个骑凤仙人，相传原是南朝齐明王，后修道升仙。仙人之后是十个小兽：龙、凤、狮子、天马、海马、狻猊、狎鱼、獬豸、斗牛、行什。在其它古建筑上一般最多使用九个走兽。这里有严格的等级界限，只有太和殿才能十样齐全。中和殿是七个、保和殿是九个。其它殿上的镇瓦兽按级递减。天安门上也只是九个。诸葛长青：紫禁城的神兽，预兆上天护佑。
   太和殿的装饰十分华丽。檐下施以密集的斗栱，室内外梁枋上饰以级别最高的和玺彩画。门窗上部嵌成菱花格纹，下部浮雕云龙图案，接榫处安有镌刻龙纹的鎏金铜叶。

   殿内金砖铺地（因而又名金銮殿）（金砖是因其打造时所需的钱很多，因而得名），太和殿内地面共铺二尺见方的大金砖四千七百一十八块。但是金砖并不是用黄金制成，而是在苏州特制的砖。其表面为淡黑、油润、光亮、不涩不滑。苏州一带土质好，烧工精，烧成之后达到"敲之有声，断之无孔"的程度，方可使用，烧炼这种砖的程序极为复杂，一块砖起码要炼上一年。

   太和殿共有七十二根大柱支撑其全部重量，其中顶梁大柱最粗最高，直径为一米零六，高为十二米七零。明代用的是楠木，采自川、广、云、贵等地，要采取这种木材十分艰难，楠木往往长在深山老林之中，为此官员百姓不顾性命安危冒险取材，民间对此有“进山一千（人），出山五百（人）”的说法。清代重建后，用的是松木，采自东北三省的深山之中。太和殿的明间设九龙金漆宝座，宝座两侧排列6根直径1.00m的沥粉贴金云龙图案的巨柱，所贴金箔采用深浅两种颜色，使图案突出鲜明。

   宝座前两侧有四对陈设：宝象、甪（Lù）端、仙鹤和香亭。宝象象征国家的安定和政权的巩固；甪端是传说中的吉祥动物；仙鹤象征长寿；香亭寓意江山稳固。宝座上方天花正中安置形若伞盖向上隆起的藻井。藻井正中雕有蟠卧的巨龙，龙头下探，口衔宝珠。诸葛长青：宝座摆设预兆着天子在此、人才济济、健康长寿、江山稳固。
   太和殿（金銮宝殿）檐角尖端上的装饰物。从左起第一为骑凤仙人，其次为鸱吻（音chi wen，龙的九子之一）、狮子、海马、天马、狎鱼、狻猊、獬豸、斗牛、行什。装饰物越多，建筑等级越高。

   太和殿是唯一有十个饰物的建筑。在中国古建筑的岔脊上，都装饰有一些小兽，这些小兽排列有着严格的规定，按照建筑等级的高低而有数量的不同，最多的是故宫太和殿上的装饰。
   重脊前为什么用仙人骑凤?传说：齐国国君齐王，一次作战中失败，来到一条大河岸边，走投无路，后边追兵就要到了，危急之中，突然，一只大鸟飞到眼前，齐王急忙骑上大鸟，渡过大河，逢凶化吉。古人把它放在建筑脊端，也表示骑凤飞行，逢凶化吉。
   为什么要选用这些小兽安放在古建筑上呢?排列顺序：
   ⒈鸱吻（音吃吻，龙的九子之一），最喜欢四处眺望，常饰于屋檐上。
   ⒉凤，中国古代传说中的百鸟之王,常用来象征祥瑞,也比喻有圣德之人。据《史记·日者列传》："凤凰不与燕雀为群。"这里充分反映了封建帝王至高无上的尊贵地位。
   ⒊狮子，代表勇猛、威严。《传灯录》记载："......-狮子吼云：'天上天下，唯我独尊'。狮子作吼，群兽慑伏。"
   ⒋天马，象征着威德通天入海，畅达四方。
   ⒌海马，中国古代神话中也是吉祥的化身。
   ⒍狻猊（音suan ni），古书记载是与狮子同类的猛兽，也有说为龙的九子之一。
   ⒎狎（xia）鱼，是海中异兽，传说和狻猊都是兴云作雨，灭火防灾的神。
   ⒏獬豸（xie zhi），中国古代传说中的猛兽，与狮子类同。《异物志》中说"东北荒中有兽，名獬豸"。一角，性忠，见人斗则不触直者，闻人论则咋不正者。它能辨曲直，又有神羊之称"它是勇猛、公正的象征。
   ⒐斗牛，传说中是一种虬龙，据《宸垣识略》载："西内海子中有斗牛，即虬嫡[虫旁]之类，遇阴雨作云雾，常蜿蜒道路旁及金鳌玉栋坊之上。"它是一种除祸灭灾的吉祥雨镇物。
   ⒑行什，一种带翅膀猴，背生双翼，手持金刚宝杵，传说宝杵具有降魔的功效。因排行第十，故名“行什“。颇像传说中的雷公，大概是防雷的象征。

    古代建筑上的脊兽，可见的行什仅一处，就是在太和殿上。
   把这些小兽依次排列在高高的檐角处，象征着消灾灭祸，逢凶化吉，还含有剪除邪恶、主持公道之意。古人把建筑装饰上这些走兽，使古建筑更加雄伟壮观，富丽堂皇，充满艺术魅力。诸葛长青：皇帝是天子，有天界神兽护卫。
   故宫现存做工最讲究、装饰最华贵、等级最高、雕镂最精美的是太和殿中陈设的髹（xiū）金漆云龙纹宝座，它设在大殿中央七层台阶的高台上，后方摆设着七扇雕有云龙纹的髹金漆大屏风。它是明朝嘉靖（1522—1566）年间制作的，通高172.5厘米、宽158.5厘米、纵深79厘米。椅圈上共有13条金龙缠绕，其中最大的一条正龙昂首立于椅背的中央；椅面之下没有通常的椅子腿，而是一个须弥底座，在束腰的地方透雕双龙戏珠，满髹金漆。周围摆设象征太平有象的象驮宝瓶，象征君主贤明、群贤毕至的甪端，象征延年益寿的仙鹤，以及焚香用的香炉、香筒。而殿内靠近宝座的六根明柱和梁、枋上的群龙彩画，全用沥粉贴金。宝座上方的蟠龙衔珠藻井，也统统罩以金漆，更显出“金銮宝殿”的华贵气氛，足以见坐上这个宝座的人是何等的尊贵。诸葛长青：皇帝是天子，要做宝座之上。

   中国古代皇家拿什么来镇殿？太和殿的房梁之上，到底隐藏着怎样的镇殿之宝？在太和殿300年大修之际，故宫如今披露了太和殿中隐藏的五座神秘符牌。这五座符牌的供奉极有规律，以太和殿正中悬轩辕镜正上方的藻井平台中央所供符牌为中心，东西南北四方分别朝向正中各供奉一座。符牌由于雕刻着镇殿神符，故又称为“符板”。正中央的一块符牌高约37.5厘米，宽23厘米，以产于东北的高丽木所制，前置香炉、蜡台、灵芝五供。符牌正面由上而下共分为四层，由佛教护持真言、神明和北斗七星图组成，背面由镇殿七十二符组成，可谓是一道镇殿灵符。
   清宫《造办处各作成做活计清档》中记载，雍正九年八月十二日（1731年），雍正降旨在养心殿安黄铜符板一块，太和殿和乾清宫分别安木符板各一块。据此可知，此处符牌至少有一块应是雍正九年供奉在太和殿上的。故宫专家介绍，雍正九年，正是雍正帝被病魔缠身，让道士为其治病之时。此牌上的佛教经咒中既有汉传佛教经典的经咒，又有藏传佛教的心咒和咒牌，显然是汉藏合一的形式。
   故宫太和殿金銮宝座（又称：“髹金漆云龙纹宝座”）是紫禁城里最显赫的一把椅子。这把用楠木制成的宝座通高1.72米，座高0.49米，座面宽0.79米。宝座的“圈椅”式椅背雕有13条蟠龙，须发直立，张牙舞爪。中间的靠背背板上平雕着云龙，座椅的高束腰处四面透雕双龙戏珠图案，其他如莲瓣、卷草、火珠、如意云头等纹样遍布宝座全身。宝座髹的金漆用的是“泥金”法，将金箔在胶水中研细，去胶晾干成为粉末后，用丝棉拂扫到打好金胶的座身上，最后用半透明微黄的漆刷一层而成。金箔的色泽在罩漆的保护下恒久不变、益发光亮。宝座在同样雕满龙纹的屏风衬托下，坐镇中轴线的核心，俯瞰天下。
　　1963年起，故宫博物院动用各个工种13位专家，木活、雕活、铜活、漆活等花了934个工日，于1964年6月才将金龙宝座修葺一新，回归太和殿。北京金漆镶嵌有限责任公司按1：1比例复制的故宫太和殿金銮宝座，现展示在其恢复的老字号门店“物华苑”展厅内。

   (本文参考资料：紫禁城太和殿等网络资料)

(This article is an original article by Zhuge Changqing, and the pictures are selected from the Internet. Welcome to forward it, and please indicate the source for forwarding)

Introduction to Zhuge Changqing: Zhuge Changqing, the inheritor and promoter of traditional Chinese culture, is willing to "learn from sages, promote virtue, revitalize China and benefit the world" together with people with the same ideals in the world.

(Zhuge Changqing: zhuge8031@163.com ）

Zhuge Changqing mailbox：

zhuge8031@163.com

Zhuge Changqing's Chinese Dream

Learn from sages and carry forward virtue

Revitalizing China for the benefit of the world

 （本文是诸葛长青原创文章，图片选自网络。欢迎转发，转发引用请注明出处）

诸葛长青简介：诸葛长青，中国国学传统文化传承弘扬者，愿与天下志同道合者一起“学习圣贤、弘扬善德、振兴中华、造福世界”。

（诸葛长青：zhuge8031@163.com）

Zhuge Changqing mailbox：

zhuge8031@163.com

  诸葛长青中国梦  

学习圣贤 弘扬善德

振兴中华 造福世界

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