Embody imperial power?
Some people say that the palace planted with trees has the feeling of a small house and yard, which does not reflect the supreme rights and dignity of the magnificent palace, and is inconsistent with the temperament of the three halls used by the emperor to handle state affairs. Magnificence is a symbol of imperial power. If trees are planted in these courtyards with pleasant shade and red flowers and green trees everywhere, people's body and mind will relax invisibly, which will greatly destroy the majestic atmosphere and it will be difficult to establish the prestige of the son of heaven.
Starting from Tiananmen Square, through the end gate to the noon gate, the empty and majestic Forbidden City can highlight the grandeur of the palace. Every time a hundred officials pass by here when they go to court, they look up and admire, and they feel even more scared.
Although there is some truth in this statement, it cannot be said that this is the real reason why the three halls do not plant trees. In fact, there are two reasons why the three halls don't plant trees.
To ensure the safety of the emperor?
The failure to plant trees in the courtyard of the three main halls was related to a peasant uprising in Jiaqing period of Qing Dynasty.
According to historical records, in the year of 18 13, in today's Songjiazhuang, there was an Anbailian rebellion team, and the believers attacked the east and west gates of the Forbidden City under the command of the leader. Among them, the East Road Rebel Army was blocked and defeated, while the West Road Rebel Army attacked Xihuamen and killed Longzongmen. At this time, Longzongmen was closed, and when the rebels were cornered, they saw only tall trees on both sides of the palace wall. These trees are not only easy to climb and hide, but also can climb over the palace wall through trees. So, the insurgents climbed in through the big trees outside the wall to fight the Qing army, and finally failed because they were outnumbered.
Although the uprising was suppressed, the leader of the rebel army at that time was not caught. After the new prince succeeded to the throne, he immediately ordered the trees around the city wall to be cut down. A large part of the reason for not planting trees is the uprising. For the safety of the palace, it is ordered not to plant trees here.
This statement seems reasonable, but a careful observation of the Forbidden City reveals that there are actually very tall trees in hall of mental cultivation and the Imperial Garden, such as Cooper. So this statement is somewhat far-fetched and unconvincing.
The theory of geomantic metaphysics?
The shape of the Forbidden City is square, like a "mouth", so if you plant trees in this open space, it will become a "sleepy" word, which is not good for the emperor, and according to Feng Shui, this moral is also extremely bad.
In ancient China, people believed in geomantic metaphysics most. The five elements of "wood, fire, earth, gold and water" correspond to five directions of "east, south, middle, west and north". The three halls of the Forbidden City are located between Miyagi and the whole city of Beijing. They belong to the earth in the five elements. The five elements are born together, and wood can overcome soil. The owner of the Forbidden City naturally doesn't want his authority to be resisted, so in order to ensure the supremacy and unsurpassed imperial power, no trees are planted in the courtyards of the three halls of the Forbidden City.
As for these, are they the real reasons? This still needs us to continue to study and explore.
(Editor: Li)
Some pictures in this article come from the Internet.
This article is an original manuscript. If reproduced, please indicate the source.