The Shenwu Gate of the Forbidden City, the towering northern gate of the Forbidden City, has witnessed centuries of historical changes. Here is a detailed review of its historical changes:
First, the initial construction and naming
Time: It was founded in the 18th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1420).
Name: Originally named “Xuanwu Gate”, because “Xuanwu” is one of the ancient four gods beasts, representing the north, the north palace gate of the imperial palace is named after this.
Second, rename and rebuild
Reason for the name change: During the Kangxi years of the Qing Dynasty, in order to avoid the name of the Kangxi Emperor Xuanye, Xuanwu Gate was officially renamed “Shenwu Gate”.
Reconstruction of history: Shenwumen was rebuilt many times in the Qing Dynasty and maintained its magnificent architectural style.
Third, building regulations and characteristics
Building regulations: The total height of Shenwu Gate is 31 meters, the plane is rectangular, the base is white jade and stone, and there are three gate holes in the city platform.
Structure of the tower: The building is built on the white jade base, the face is 5 wide, the depth of 1. the corridor is surrounded by the white jade balustrade. The front and back eaves open the door and the left and right second doors. The east and west hills are equipped with double panel doors, leading to the city wall and the left and right horse tracks. Step out of the four doors.
Roof style: the top of the double eaves roof, the lower layer single warping single angong five step dougong, the upper layer single warping heavy angong seven step dougong, the beam square decorated with ink line large point gold spin color painting.
Interior and decoration: The upper eaves hanging blue gilt bronze characters covered with Chinese “Shenwumen” ribbon plaque. The top of the building is a golden lotus water grass ceiling, the floor is paved with bricks.
Fourth, function and use
Daily access: Shenwu Gate is an important passageway for daily access in the palace, where concubines, officials, guards, eunuchs and artisans come in and out.
Royal etiquette: The empress of the Ming and Qing dynasties went out of the silkworm ceremony through this door. When the emperors of the Qing Dynasty returned to the palace from Rehe or Yuanmingyuan, they often entered the palace from this gate.
Fifth, historical events and changes
Break-in case: In the tenth year of Jiaqing (1805), there was a break-in incident in which a man broke into Shenwu Gate with an iron gun on his shoulder and was captured by the guards.
Emperor Pu Yi’s departure from the Palace: In 1924. Emperor Pu Yi was expelled from the palace through this gate, marking the official end of Qing rule in the Forbidden City.
Establishment of the Palace Museum: In 1925. the Palace Museum was established, and Shenwu Gate became one of the important entrances and exits of the Palace Museum. The plaque above the door reads “Palace Museum” inscribed by Guo Moruo, a famous historian, in 1971.
Sixth, current situation
Protection and utilization: Today, as an important entrance and exit of the Forbidden City, Shenwu Gate has been properly protected and utilized. It is not only a channel for tourists to enter and exit the Forbidden City, but also an important place for the protection of ancient buildings and cultural inheritance.
