Hall of Central Harmony

　　    It is one of the three main halls outside the Forbidden City in Beijing, located between the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony in the Forbidden City. It was where the emperor would rest before attending grand ceremonies in the Hall of Supreme Harmony and receive obeisances from officials. Whenever the emperor personally presided over ceremonies, such as those at the Temple of Heaven or the Temple of Earth, he would review the sacrificial texts in the Hall of Central Harmony the day before. Prior to performing the symbolic plowing ritual at the Altar of Agriculture, he would also inspect the seeds and farming tools there. When the Empress Dowager was to be conferred an honorary title, the emperor would review the relevant memorials in this hall. Upon completion of the Imperial Genealogy Record (玉牒), it would be respectfully presented in the Hall of Central Harmony for imperial perusal, accompanied by a grand ceremony for its storage.

　　    The Hall of Central Harmony was first built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1420). In the early Ming period, it was called the “Hall of the Canopy” (华盖殿). It was destroyed by fire during the Jiajing reign and was rebuilt and renamed the “Hall of the Supreme Pole” (中极殿), with traces of the Ming-era “Hall of the Supreme Pole” inscription still remaining. In the first year of the Shunzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644), the Qing imperial family took over the Forbidden City, and the following year the Hall of the Supreme Pole was renamed the Hall of Central Harmony. The name is derived from the meaning of “Central” and “Harmony” in the “Doctrine of the Mean” (中庸) from the Book of Rites (礼记): “The Mean is the foundation of the world; Harmony is the way of the world.” The plaque in the Hall of Central Harmony, inscribed with the words “Uphold the Mean” (允执厥中), was handwritten by Emperor Qianlong.

　　    The Hall of Central Harmony has a square floor plan, with a width and depth of three bays each, surrounded by corridors on all sides, paved with golden bricks, and covering a construction area of 580 square meters. The roof is a single-eave, four-cornered pyramidal roof covered with yellow glazed tiles, topped with a gilded bronze finial in the center. The hall has doors on all four sides: the front features 12 three-leafed panel doors, while the east, north, and west sides each have 4 panel doors. There are stone steps leading up to the hall — one set on the east and west sides, and three sets on the north and south sides. On both sides of the doors are blue-brick sills with lattice windows above. Both the interior and exterior eaves are decorated with golden-dragon “Harmony and Union” (和玺) colored paintings, and the ceiling is adorned with raised gold-painted frontal dragons.

　　    The design of the doors and windows is inspired by the “Bright Hall” described in the “Dai Records of Rites” (大戴礼记), avoiding similarity with the other two major halls.

　　    The term “Central Harmony” means that by achieving impartiality and balance in all matters, harmonious relationships among all parties can be maintained. Its intent is to promote the philosophy of the “Doctrine of the Mean.”

　　    The main hall of the Hall of Central Harmony is square in shape, with a yellow-glazed tile, four-cornered pyramidal roof, and a gilded finial in the center. Before going to the Hall of Supreme Harmony for official duties, the emperor would rest here briefly and receive obeisances from cabinet ministers, the Ministry of Rites, and ceremonial guards. On the day before ceremonies such as conferring honorary titles to the Empress Dowager or other major rites, the emperor would also review memorials and sacrificial texts here.

　　    Inside the Hall of Central Harmony, on either side of the throne, there are two golden four-legged, single-horned mythical beasts. These are imaginary creatures said to travel 18,000 li a day, understand all languages, and know of distant affairs. Placed beside the emperor’s throne, they symbolize the wisdom of the ruler, and were also used for burning sandalwood incense. During the Qing Dynasty, high-quality charcoal known as “red date charcoal” was burned in the palace. This type of charcoal was warm, long-burning, and produced white ash without popping. Two sedan chairs, commonly known as palanquins, were also placed beside the throne—vehicles used by Qing emperors for internal travel within the palace.

The Palace Museum

Palace of Purity and Tranquility (Zhongcui Palace)

Hall of Supreme Harmony

Gate of Divine Might (Shenwumen)

Hall of Preserving Harmony

Hall of Imperial Supremacy (Huangji Dian)

Hall of Literary Glory (Wuying Dian)

Palace of Earthly Tranquility (Kunning Gong)

Hall of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Gong)

Palace of Longevity and Health (Cining Gong)

Studio of the Three Rarities (Sanxitang)

Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin Dian)

Palace of Longevity and Peace (Shou’an Gong)

Imperial Garden

Palace of Eternal Spring (Yongshou Gong)