I've read so many novels about the life and times of the Emperors of China over the years that I was fascinated to finally see the Forbidden City with my own eyes. The biggest take-away for me was that it's no wonder that China revolted in 1949 and became communist. Even though that revolution was not directly overturning emperor rule, I would not be surprised if the centuries of oppression left a big cultural weight on the Chinese people that led them to finally saying: "enough!"
As we walked through the Forbidden City, more than once Rand and I said "decadence" and "wretched excess" to each other. How else can you think about a city that revolves around the wants and desires of one man, the Emperor. From thin06gs you see at the Forbidden city, it's also clear that his desires were a bit "over the top". The Emperor could have 128 food courses in his meals (that he might only smell or taste before discarding), and would keep up to 3,000 concubines. I guess that's why he needed such big meals - to keep up his energy.
To enter the Forbidden City, you cross a bridge over a wide moat. Of course the Emperor was carried everywhere. There are several bridges side by side. You traversed only the bridge corresponding to your social status. The Emperor, of course, had his very own bridge and he was the only one who could use it. Walking through the Forbidden City, it is very clear that everything revolved around the Emperor.
God bless democracy!
As we walked through the Forbidden City, more than once Rand and I said "decadence" and "wretched excess" to each other. How else can you think about a city that revolves around the wants and desires of one man, the Emperor. From thin06gs you see at the Forbidden city, it's also clear that his desires were a bit "over the top". The Emperor could have 128 food courses in his meals (that he might only smell or taste before discarding), and would keep up to 3,000 concubines. I guess that's why he needed such big meals - to keep up his energy.
To enter the Forbidden City, you cross a bridge over a wide moat. Of course the Emperor was carried everywhere. There are several bridges side by side. You traversed only the bridge corresponding to your social status. The Emperor, of course, had his very own bridge and he was the only one who could use it. Walking through the Forbidden City, it is very clear that everything revolved around the Emperor.
God bless democracy!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment