1. Respect Heaven and love the people, be diligent and close to the virtuous. In the Taihe Hall, the mountains and rivers will rise for generations. The couplet on the north pillar of the cloud dragon gold pillar: The emperor’s decree is in the nine surroundings. It is difficult, but there is no way to respect it; God’s heart bless you. One virtue, always protect it, seek peace. This couplet comes from Qianlong's imperial pen, "The emperor's order is in Jiuwei", which can be found in "The Book of Songs·Shang Song·Changfa". God ordered Tang to be the model of Jiuzhou, that is, to rule Jiuzhou. "It's so difficult" is found in "Shang Shu Yi Xun". Shang Tang respected heaven and loved the people, and became the emperor, but it was difficult to stand on his own feet. "Fujing" is found in "Book of Rites: Ai Gongwen", "Fujing is not affectionate, Fujing is not right", Jing, respectful. "Heaven's heart bless him with a virtue", found in "Shangshu·Xian Youde", "But Yin Gongji Tang, Xian has a virtue, enjoys the heaven's heart, and accepts the destiny of the sky." "Eternal words protect it", seen in "Book of Songs·Zhou Song· "Zai Jian", "Always protect it, think of the emperor and make you miserable". 遹, pronounced yù, is a particle. This couplet says that it is a difficult thing for the emperor and the heaven to appoint the emperor to rule the world. How can we be disrespectful? The heart of heaven and earth cares about Jingyi's virtues and will always bless and bring peace to the world. There are couplets on both sides of the throne in the Zhonghe Hall. At that time, six dragons were used to control the sky, so that they could not escape. They were numbered with five blessings and tin poles, which showed their permanence. It was written by Emperor Qianlong, and the phrase "riding six dragons to control the sky" can be found in "Book of Changes and Qian": "At the end of the Ming Dynasty, six people came into being, and they rode six dragons to control the sky", six people, four positions above and below. "There is no escape for him" comes from "No escape for the gentleman" in "Shangshu Wuyi". It is said that a gentleman devotes himself to cultivating morality and not coveting pleasure. "Use the five blessings to reach the extreme", using and reorganizing the sentences in "Shangshu·Hongfan". "When you collect the five blessings, you can apply tin to the common people. But when the common people are at your extreme, the tin will protect you." "Zhang Jue has constant", the words come from "Shang Shu Gao Tao Mo": "Wide and chestnut, soft and standing, willing and respectful, chaotic and respectful, disturbing and persevering, straight and gentle, simple and incorruptible, hard and strong, strong "Righteousness is always evident and auspicious." This couplet says that the sun rides six dragons in the sky and is constantly striving for self-improvement. If a ruler wins the support of the people by spreading five blessings, this rule must be made clear. The couplets on the golden pillars on both sides of the throne in the Baohe Hall: The ancestral precepts are clear, and my descendants, Shang Keqin, will inherit them forever; Heaven's heart has warned me, but all the ministers and common people should consider their appearance and protect their boundless borders. It was written by Emperor Qianlong, with the first couplet "Kaqin Cheng" and the words "Shang Shu·Shuo Ming". "Only talk about the style of Kachin Cheng". The second line "Tian Xin" comes from "Shang Shu·Xian Yide". This couplet says that the ancestral precepts are clearly passed down to future generations, and future generations should respect the ancestral instructions and pass them on forever. God is as clear as a mirror, and the subjects should always think of this in order to protect their borders. Taihe Hall, Zhonghe Hall, and Baohe Hall are called the three main halls. These palaces were the places where the emperor governed, and the couplets here were, without exception, intended to promote the ruler's ideas. The ancestral mottos of the Qing Dynasty mainly include respecting heaven and loving the people, and being diligent in government and kinship with the virtuous. Couplets are taken from books such as "Book of Songs", "The Book of Songs", and "Book of Changes", and adopt the method of collecting sentences or transforming them to express the wishes of the ruler. In feudal society, although the slogan of loving the people was put forward, in a certain sense, it was beneficial to the people. However, everything expressed in the couplets serves its rule. 2. Cultivation of one's moral character and appearance in the world. The couplets on the two pillars on both sides of the throne in the main hall of the Qianqing Palace represent the righteousness of all nations, and be cautious in cultivating one's body and thinking about eternity. "Exhibiting justice to all nations" comes from "Shang Shu·Zhong Hui's Edict"; "There is a lack of virtue in the summer, and the people are in ruins. Heaven is the brave and wise king of Xi. The saying comes from "Shang Shu Gao Tao Mo"; "Hongfu Wudian" comes from "Shang Shu Jun Ya"; "There is no light on civil affairs but difficulties", the saying comes from "Shang Shu Tai Jia Xia". This couplet is a collection of sentences. It is said that if you want to be a model for the world and for the Dharma to rectify all directions, you must cultivate yourself carefully and think about the long-term way; promote the Wuchang principles to the people, and do not underestimate the difficulties of the people in doing things. The couplets on the north pillars of the main hall of the Qianqing Palace are broad and benevolent, and the emperor's construction has its extremes; but the essence is unique, and the Tao is accumulated in Jue Gong. This couplet is also from the above-mentioned scriptures, which means that the emperor should be tolerant and benevolent, establish the highest standards for all people, be pure and pure, and perfect morality will accumulate in the monarch himself. Couplet inside the east gate of the back hall of Yangxin Hall: Self-cultivation begins with sincerity and solitude; reading cultivates the origin. The first couplet is written based on the classic ideas in "Book of Rites·University". When it comes to testing the level of self-cultivation, the first is Youdu; the second couplet is based on Zhu Xi's poetic meaning. It is said that reading can cultivate one's character, manage one's family, govern a country, and bring peace to the world. It is the source of cultivation. The emperors of the Qing Dynasty paid special attention to self-cultivation, and the most fundamental purpose was, of course, to consolidate their dominance. 3. Advocating the sun and moon, and uprightness. The emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties accepted the traditional culture of the Han and the Tibetan Buddhist culture, and respected the sun, the moon, and the light.
"Book of Changes·Li": "The sun and the moon are as beautiful as the sky, and the hundreds of grains and trees are as beautiful as the earth. The beauty of Chongming is as beautiful as the righteousness, which transforms the world." It can be seen from the contents of the palaces, plaques and couplets in the Forbidden City. Couplet in front of the Rende Dalong plaque: As the sun rises and the moon persists, the eight figures ascend to the realm of benevolence and longevity; covered by the sky, carried by the earth, they always consolidate the sea and mountains for thousands of years. "The Book of Songs·Xiaoya·Tianbao": "Like the perseverance of the moon, the rise of the sun, the longevity of the Nanshan Mountains, neither rising nor falling, the luxuriance of pines and cypresses." "Eight Tables", remote places in all directions. "Book of Rites: Doctrine of the Mean": "This reputation spreads over China and reaches the barbarians. Wherever the boats and chariots go, they are passed by human power; where the sky covers them, the earth touches them; where the sun and moon shine, the frost and dew fall - everything Anyone of flesh and blood should respect their relatives, so they are called "matching heaven". This couplet is formed by using the above sentences. Written by Emperor Guangxu. The couplets on the eaves and pillars in front of the Tihe Hall. Nine Youqing brilliance, illuminated by the sun and moon; Three No Zhaos, heaven and earth agree. "Jiuyou" means Jiuzhou. "Three Wus", "Book of Rites: Confucius's Leisurely Life": "The sky covers selflessly, the earth selflessly carries, and the sun and moon shine selflessly." The reason why the whole world celebrates the light is because the sun and the moon are shining; the three selfless governance are in line with the will of heaven and earth. The couplets on the eaves and pillars at the back of the Tai Chi Hall show the three lights of Zhaoming and the harmony of Qing and Liuhe; manage trillions and create four seasons. "Shangshu·Yao Dian": "The common people are enlightened and all nations are harmonious." "The Book of Songs·Xiaoya·Gufeng·Beishan": "The journey is strong and the business is in all directions." The three lights refer to the sun, moon and stars. Liuhe refers to the world. The above three couplets all express the admiration for the sun and the moon and the worship of light. Uprightness is one of the ancestral mottoes of the Qing emperors. 4. Royal blessings, golden flowers and beautiful flowers. Kunning Palace was the main residence of the queen of the Qing Dynasty. The couplets here are very different from the couplets in the three main halls. The couplet is soothing and warm. The couplets on both sides of the east door of the Kunning Palace Cave are: Heaven is pure and blessed, Bierjian is in the valley, Bailu is the lotus; the people are decreed to make peace, Sui Yi is blessed, and longevity is boundless. God bless those who are morally pure and make them blessed and prosperous; the people obey the wise king and wish him a long life. On the north wall of the bridal chamber of Kunning Palace, there are couplets for sitting on the bed. The ancestor Wu Qi rope, the Wufu Hall is the same as the Five Dynasties; In the later years of Qianlong, five generations lived together. The couplets in the wedding bed of the bridal chamber of Kunning Palace: The treasures are long, the eight poles, humans and heaven are happy; the gold and yellow flowers are luxuriant, the sun and the moon are shining brightly in the sky. Pray for prosperity for your children and grandchildren. The above-mentioned couplets on both sides of the east gate are very special. The core is a golden dragon printed on red paper and the characters are written in ink. In addition to the red couplets, they are combined with the wall panels to form the frame of the long couplets. Different from common couplets, its edges are white paper, with purple and red borders added to the white paper, and a black frame outside the borders. The couplets are still white, which is unique to the Qing Dynasty. Every Spring Festival, every door hangs Spring Festival couplets, all of which are white couplets and black characters. 5. Traditional culture lasts a lifetime. The emperors of the Qing Dynasty especially loved traditional culture because they were influenced by Han culture. Among the couplets in the Forbidden City, there are many couplets about book collection, reading and culture. Wenyuan Pavilion was built in the Qing Dynasty specifically to store the "Sikuquanshu" and "The Collection of Ancient and Modern Books". The couplets in Wenyuan Pavilion contain the past and present, and are used as a source of respect for learning; the name of Lun Fei lives up to its name, but its appearance imitates the worship of Wen. The books on the bookshelf contain the past and the present, and they use academic knowledge to harmonize the relationship between monarch and ministers. The cabinet bachelor is worthy of his name, but there is no formalism in worshiping literature. There are couplets under the three selfless plaques. Two canons and three mos follow the way of Yao and Shun; the five winds and ten rains harmonize the hearts of heaven and earth. The second code refers to the Code of Yao and the Code of Shun in Shangshu. Three Mo refers to "Da Yu Mo", "Gaotao Mo" and "Wen Wang Mo" in "Shangshu". The above-mentioned "canons" and "mo" generally refer to the classics of ancient emperors such as Yao, Shun, and Yu. This couplet is for the emperor to encourage himself. The couplets in the main hall of Jiangxue Pavilion are full of colorful books on the east wall; the classics and volumes of Qing Dynasty in the west are filled with latitude and longitude. From these couplets, we can see that the emperors of the Qing Dynasty attached great importance to their collection of books. Not only did they read a lot of books, they were excellent in couplets and well-written, they also had a deep foundation in traditional culture, which they would use for life. 6. Different emperors have different couplets. Although the emperors of the Qing Dynasty all loved couplets, due to their different education and personalities, the couplets they wrote were very different. Although there are not many couplets of Emperor Kangxi, they reflect his generous and gentle character. For example, the couplets on the couplets on both sides of the throne in the main hall of the Qianqing Palace represent the uprightness of all nations, and they should be cautious and cultivate their thoughts for eternity. Emperor Yongzheng had a resolute and decisive character. The couplet under the plaque of Diligent Government and Friendship with Virtues written by him is: Only one person can rule the world; how can he serve one person for the world? Emperor Qianlong had the temperament of a Han scholar-bureaucrat. The couplets he wrote in Sanxitang are: Observe the past and present with arms; Xianfeng imperial couplets are relatively rare.
The couplets holding the pillars in front of the Tiyuan Hall written by him: "Continuous self-improvement is a wish for heaven; a humble ambition and a love of learning are a wish for saints." Emperor Guangxu, who was restrained and prudent due to the environment, wrote a couplet in the east room and north room of the front hall of Yangxin Hall: "Don't be lazy at night, think about it smoothly; be careful when going in and out without being cautious." Empress Dowager Cixi's desire for power grew and she wrote a large number of couplets in Chuxiu Palace, making it the place with the most plaques and couplets in the Forbidden City. Some words were used by the emperor, and she used them. For example, in the west of the Tihe Hall, there are couplets on the eaves and pillars of the hall, and the heavenly cup offers longevity to Qi Nanyue; the brilliance of the sacred alga moves the Beichen. Although the Forbidden City is not big, it is a small society. It is the epitome of a large society. And it's on the top of the pagoda, the upper class. The Forbidden City couplets are of course also important historical and cultural materials, calligraphy works, and precious works of art. Much of the content is for the rulers though. But it reflected the social reality at that time. We should take the essence and remove the dross, use the strengths and avoid the weaknesses, use the past for the present, and work hard to promote the quintessence of the motherland - couplets.