What makes the Potala Palace a cultural landmark?
The Potala Palace, situated on the Red Hill in the northwest of Lhasa city, is known for preserving numerous cultural artifacts. It was among the first cultural sites to receive state protection in 1961 in China and was later inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994.
Encapsulating historical moments
The Potala Palace was constructed over 1300 years ago during the reign of Tubo Tsenpo Songtsen Gampo (617-650). Songtsen Gampo, who unified the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in the 7th century, relocated the capital to Lhasa and oversaw the construction of various infrastructure projects in the Lhasa River Valley. The Red Palace, the original structure that eventually evolved into the present-day Potala Palace, was initially built on Red Hill in the heart of old Lhasa City. Historically, the Red Palace featured three thick walls made of large stone blocks and 999 rooms, with an additional room in a cave-dwelling bringing the total to 1000.
Following fires and wars that led to the collapse of the Tubo Kingdom, the original palace was nearly destroyed. The construction of the current Potala Palace commenced in 1645 under the Fifth Dalai Lama Lozang Gyatso (1617-1682), who established the Ganden Phodrang regime in Xizang. By 1648, the architectural complex was largely completed, with the White Palace serving as its main component, situated on the east and west sides of the remnants of the original Red Palace.
Subsequently, the Potala Palace became the residence and seat of political and religious power for the Dalai Lama. After the Fifth Dalai Lama passed away, his Chief Manager Desi Sangye Gyatso, undertook extensions and renovations that have contributed to the grandeur of the Potala Palace as it stands today.
The Potala Palace, situated on the Red Hill at an elevation of 3,700 meters above sea level, boasts impressive dimensions. It spans 360 meters from east to west and 140 meters from south to north, covering a construction area of 13,000 square meters and a total area of 36,000 square meters.
Comprising the White Palace and the Red Palace, the architectural complex features the Red Palace at its center, appearing as 13 stories externally but 9 stories internally, while the White Palace serves as the east and west wings, each standing at 7 stories high. Built against the terraced slope of the hill, the red and white palace complex presents a stunning sight with buildings stacked upon one another.
The traditional Tibetan architectural style of constructing on hills is exemplified by the grandeur of the Potala Palace, as the elevated terrain enhances a sense of sacredness and grandeur. Despite the absence of modern construction equipment during its construction, workers, and craftsmen creatively utilized the terraced slopes to build various halls that harmonized with the surrounding environment.
The design of the palace complex, with the towering Red Palace atop the Red Hill and interconnected halls and chambers arranged in a hierarchical manner, showcases the integration of the entire structure. The thick stonewalls of the palace complex, with a unique vertical inside and outwardly sloping design, emphasize the solidity and dignity characteristic of Tibetan architecture.
The exterior walls of the Potala Palace are constructed using willow twigs tightly packed and painted brownish-red, a distinct Tibetan style reserved for sacred buildings and residences of high-ranking nobles. Adorned with ornamentations such as the wheel and deer emblem, the Eight Auspicious Symbols, and the Seven Precious Jewels, along with golden roofs, victory banners, gilded copper vases, and yak wool streamers, the palace showcases a vibrant color palette of red, white, and yellow, creating a visually striking masterpiece in traditional Tibetan architecture.
The Potala Palace, with its stone construction, which was rare in the Central Plains of ancient China, not only enriches Chinese architecture but also stands as a distinctive fortress-palace-monastery complex in global architectural history. Comprising the White Palace, the Red Palace, the expansive Deyang Shar Terrace, turrets, and monks' dormitories, the Potala Palace represents a significant architectural achievement. The architectural structure of the Potala follows the typical Tibetan monastery style, featuring stone foundations and wooden upper levels.
The use of reddish-brown willow branches to cover the stone walls softens the cold and rigid appearance of the stone blocks, while the golden Han-style hip roofs shine brightly in the high-altitude sunlight of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. The circular castles on the east and west wings symbolize the sun and the moon, adding a touch of diversity and beauty to the overall design.
Historical records indicate that during the construction of the Red Palace, Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722) of the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911) dispatched artisans from the Han, Manchu, and Mongolian ethnic groups to contribute to the enlargement and restoration of the Potala Palace. The influence of these different ethnic groups is evident in the layout, exterior and interior decorations, and paintings of the palace.
The Potala Palace not only preserves traditional Tibetan architectural elements but also incorporates the essence of architecture from other ethnic groups, showcasing a blend of cultural influences. Serving as a historical testament to the cultural exchange and integration among diverse ethnic groups, the Potala Palace captures historical moments and embodies the collective wisdom of the Chinese nation.
A treasure trove of art and national culture
The Potala Palace houses a wealth of cultural artifacts that highlight the achievements in culture, art, and religion of various ethnic groups of the Chinese nation.
Among its impressive collection are 8 gold funerary stupas of Dalai Lamas, 5 three-dimensional mandalas, and nearly 70,000 registered cultural artifacts including porcelain, golden, silver, and bronze implements, statues, pagodas, Thang-gas, and costumes. Additionally, the palace boasts an invaluable library containing over 60,000 volumes of scriptures and historical documents, showcasing the rich cultural heritage preserved within its walls.
The interior walls of the Potala Palace are adorned with intricate murals, Thang-gas, and xylographs featuring delicate brushwork and flowing lines. In the oldest room atop the Red Hill, known as The Dharmaraja Cave (Chogyel Drupug), the murals retain their vibrant colors even after 1300 years. These artistic depictions include images of Buddhas, Buddhist stories, as well as significant historical events such as "Princess Wencheng on Her Way to Tubo" and "The Fifth Dalai Lama Having an Audience with Emperor Shunzhi," offering a glimpse into the rich history and cultural significance of the palace.
In August 2009, the Treasure Museum located at the foot of the Potala Palace was opened to the public, showcasing a collection of 200 rare treasures.
Among the exhibited items were the Pattra-leaf Scripture from the 9th century, the White-glazed Intaglio-carved Conch-pattern Porcelain from the 12th century, the Gilded Copper Mandala of Hevajra in the Center of Eight Lotus Petals from the 14th century, as well as other invaluable cultural objects including the Peach-shaped Agate Cup, the Thang-ga of Bodai Stupa with Emperor Qianlong's Calligraphy of the Qing Dynasty from the 17th century, and a snuff bottle from the 18th century. These treasures further enrich the cultural significance of the Potala Palace and provide visitors with a deeper appreciation of its historical and artistic heritage.
The Potala Palace serves as a significant repository of Tibetan culture, housing canonical works that encompass various aspects of Tibetan life, including history, religion, politics, and culture. The collection of canonical works includes the Sanskrit Pattra-leaf Scriptures, ancient Tibetan books, government documents, and the Manchu Tripitaka, all of which are vital representations of Tibetan heritage.
The Sanskrit Pattra-leaf Scriptures, preserved in the Red Palace, are particularly valuable as historical literature, offering insights into the religious and cultural practices of local society.
The government documents stored in the Potala Palace date back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and primarily consist of various edicts issued by the central government to the local regime in Xizang, China. These documents, which include imperial decrees, appointment certificates, and orders from the Qing Dynasty, highlight the close connection and interaction between the central government and the local authorities in Xizang. They provide valuable historical insights into the governance and administration of Xizang under the supervision of the central authorities, showcasing the effective oversight maintained by the central government over the local regime.
The Manchu Tripitaka, also known as The Manchurian Scriptures, is a valuable collection that includes translations from the Chinese Tripitaka, Mongolian, and Tibetan Kangyur. These scriptures can only be found in two locations: the Potala Palace in Lhasa and the Palace Museum in Beijing. The preservation and interpretation of these precious works offer a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of ethnic culture and heritage in Xizang.
The authors are Jampel Gyatso, researcher at Institute of Ethnic Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Wei Jiandong, lecturer at School of History and Culture, Minzu University of China.
Liu Xian /Editor Zhang Rong /Translator
Yang Xinhua /Chief Editor Ren Qiang /Coordinator
Liu Li /Reviewer
Zhang Weiwei /Copyeditor Tan Yujie /Image Editor
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