Ming Dynasty Construction

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The Chinese Ming Dynasty, stretching between the mid 14th to mid 17th century, saw the completion of many great feats of architecture in order to convey the immense wealth and power of various emperors and government officials. The complex shown is only an example of many buildings that were completed using various architectural and stylistic feats of the Dynasty. One example of an architectural complex completed within the Ming Dynasty is the Forbidden City (c. 1406-1420). The vast imperial palace was built within Beijing in order to consolidate royal power. The Ming dynasty, marked by isolationist practices, invested time in both further developing design and artistic integrity within architecture as well as composing vast and impressive …show more content…

According to traditional Chinese beliefs, roofs are platforms for communication between the mortal and spirit worlds. It is likely that the architects of both complexes believed that, along with countless others of the time, ridges and eaves should be decorated with animals, symbolic beasts, heroes, or gods so that they could serve as guardians, warding off evil and attracting blessings and good fortune. Both structures communicate the immense power that they set off to convey. The buildings in the images all surround the huge and intricately designed circular structure; the circular building stands directly in the center of the area, thus gathering the attention of all present within the well fortified complex. The Forbidden City alludes towards power by clearly conveying the separation of powers. The southern half, or outer court, contains spectacular palace compounds of supra-human scale. This outer court belonged to the realm of state affairs, and only men had access to its spaces. It included the emperor’s formal reception halls, places for religious rituals and state ceremonies, and the Meridian Gate that served as the main

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