1. Beijing And the Forbidden City

3. A.Meridian Gate B.Gate of Divine Might C.West Glorious Gate D.East Glorious Gate E.Corner Towers F.Gate of Supreme Harmony G.Hall of Supreme Harmony H.Hall of Military Eminence I.Hall of Literary Glory J.Southern Three Places K.Palace of Heavenly Purity L.Imperial Garden M.Hall of Mental Cultivation N.Palace of Tranquil Longevity

4. Hall of Supreme Harmony Largest Hall in the Forbidden City Used by the Emperor to hold court and discuss affairs of State

5. Hall of Central Harmony Used by Emperor to prepare for state ceremonies

6. Hall of Preserving Harmony Also used to rehearse ceremonies Site of final Imperial Examination of the Civil Service Exams

7. Classic of Rites According to proper ritual as described in the Classic of Rites (circa 500 BCE), Ancestral temples are located in the front of the palace and residences are located in the back of the palace complex.

8. Further Symbolism Main Halls of both the outer and inner courts are arranged in groups of three, reflecting the trigram representing heaven. Residences of inner courtyard are arranged in groups of six, representing earth

9. Eunuchs Eunuchs offer another example of the heterotopic nature of the Forbidden City Only the Emperor and the staff of eunuchs were permitted to enter the compound of the Emperor’s concubines Eunuchs often volunteered for castration or were castrated by their parents in order to enable them to gain an important or lucrative position at court Eunuch clinics developed in neighborhoods just outside the Forbidden City