Beijing 2024 - Forbidden City More Minor Courts - Part 3

 

Besides the inside of the court halls, the outside of the buildings itself is also worthy of mention. For example, the roof top tiles and decorative figurines. I mean, why put such details on the roof? Who exactly are they meant to be admire by? Makes you wonder, doesn't it? But these looked rather cute, so I took a photo of it, and that is how they ended up here on this blog :P

Although most of the time, we only looked at things at our eye level, we tend to miss a lot of other details surrounding us. Specifically those on top of us, above us, and beyond. Door signs that are beautifully designed. Even pillars of building with decorative on them. Someone has taken time to paint those design on those pillars! Let us take some time to admire them!

Ceilings, not just plain and flat. But of carvings of celestial beings like dragons. Not just painted in one single colour, but of texture and design and depth. Almost an opposite of a minimalistic concept. 

Gardens and pavilion. Spaces designed for one to enjoy the beauty of nature. Even the pavilions with the air vent built in, or pantheon letting in the natural sunlight. 

And the gardens that surrounds these places. At one with nature. Water, and plants out in the sun. Perhaps even filling the air with their scent when they blossom? What a sight to behold. Imagine just sitting there at the pavilion just sipping tea and enjoying the sights, perhaps discussing about life with a dear friend.... How wonderful that would have been. Ah, the art of conversation is often lost in our current life of mobile phones and social media.....

Lastly, the trademark of royalty. Of power. Of an endorsement by heaven. The golden dragon, at the center of the ceiling. Everything is just so majestic here at the Forbidden City.....