The Chinese word Gong is translated into English as Palace. However, this word in its root could mean anything right from a small house. As the language progressed, during the early Qin Dynasty (221-206 B.C.), Gong came to mean specifically a group of buildings in which the Emperor lives with his entourage. History clearly shows how palaces emerged larger and larger as regimes after regimes ruled China. Whenever the King traveled in Summer or for a break, the place where he lived was called Xinggong or mobile palace. The famous Summer Palace is an example of such a palace. Zhaigong is a place where the King performed rituals necessary to benefit the nation and its people. The Temple of Heaven located in Beijing is an example of Zhaigong.
The Forbidden City is one of the classic Palaces in China. A small group of buildings within the large complex are also known as gongs. The dwelling of the female members of the royal family dwelt in Kunninggong or the Palace of Female Tranquillity. The palace of the Emperor is Qianqinggong or the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
The Chinese Emperors paid a lot of attention life after death and paid attention to building elaborate necropolises. These were known as digong or Underground palaces.
The term Gong is also extended to some temples. Potala in Lhasa, Tibet is referred to as a gong. The Lama Temple in Beijing is known as Yonghegong. The Tao temples are known as Sanqinggong or Palace of triple purity.
March 20, 2008 at 9:31 pm |
The Forbidden City has a great architecture