Forbidden City Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union (Jiaotaidian) or the Hall of Union and Peace, is one of the three major palaces in the courtyard of the Forbidden City. It is between the other two main palaces, the Palace of Heavenly Purity (qianqinggong) and the palace of earthly tranquility (Kunninggong). The hall was in the reign of Jiajing (1522-1566) founded by the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and was restored twice in 1655 and in 1669. In 1797 it was damaged by fire and rebuilt so next year. The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union is a single-roof structure with a golden ball top. Square shape, it is three bays wide and three bays deep, smaller than the Hall of Central Harmony (zhonghedian), which is a similar style. The name of the hall was taken from the Book of Changes, that is the union of heaven and earth, and peace and harmony of the whole nation in Chinese. In view of the authoritarian role of the eunuch in the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Shunzhi (1644-1661) with an iron plate banned the eunuchs’ interference in the affairs of place in this hall.
Forbidden City - Hall of Celestial & Terrestrial Union
Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union
The Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union (JiaoTaiDian), was first built in 1420 and rebuilt in 1655 and 1798. One meaning of the name is the wish that the Kaiser (heavenly) and the Empress (terrestrial) have a good marriage. This hall is like the hall of perfect harmony (ZhongHeDian) in the form and its smaller twin. It is the smallest of the three major palaces in the courtyard.
Normally empresses formal birthday greetings would get here. Empresses would also inspect preparations before going to preside over commemorations of the Silkworm God and practice sericulture. Shunzhi Emperor’s eunuchs that were made here was to be banned from attending to state affairs.
Equivalent to an hourglass – - and is on the left side, a chime Clock on the right side of the throne, the visitors an ancient Chinese water pot will see Clock. These two counters were a reference to the Drum Tower and Bell Tower.
The large clock tower on the left side of the palace built in 1798 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and works in a miraculous way, the clock yet. Water Clock on the right was built in 1745. It is one of the most important inventions of China and is about 2,500 years ago. First, the mechanical clock was in China after the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) established that the use was abandoned in the water clock.
Qianqiu Festival Celebration
In the Qing Dynasty, on the Qianqiu Festival, the birthday of the Empress, Empress of the celebrations held in the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union and received congratulations from service and high-ranking concubines, princesses and other ladies. On the occasions of the winter solstice and the spring festival, people also come here to pay their respects to the Empress.
Royal Jade Seals Storage
In 1748 during the Qianlong (1736-1795) period, put the Emperor 25 “Bao” (jade royal seal) used for the exercise of power in the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union in the Forbidden City. The royal seals were in control of the Cabinet and could only be used if the approval was given to the Empress. The royal seal here were saved for special purposes: “huangdizhibao” rescript was to declare and Jinshi (third-degree scholar) Name-declaration to be used; “zhifazhibao” and “mingdezhibao” command to the emperor and in honor of his vassals, and the “zhiyuliushizhibao” for military affairs. The royal seal was set covered in delicate boxes with yellow silk damask. These fields are still in their original place in this hall of the Palace Museum.
Inside the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union
Big Clock Chime
The great Gong Clock in the Hall of Celestial and Terrestrial Union in 1798, made the third year of the reign of Jiaqing (1796-1820). The shell is a wooden vessel mimic the style of a Chinese pavilion. With an overall height of 5.80 meters, the clock has three stages. may have on the back of the clock there is a staircase, level on which people wind the clock. The Bell Clock has run for more than two centuries, but its bell is so clear and stentorian voice as ever. What superior craftsmanship!
Bronze Clepsydra
aged over 3,000 years, the Chinese people invented the method for measuring the time with drip. The bronze water meter (water clock) was issued in this room, made in 1745 and it is the only of the resulting water meters that are still in good condition.
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