The Meridian Gate (Wu Men)
In Chinese culture, "Meridian" represents noon and the south. Thus, the Meridian Gate is the south gate of the Forbidden City.
The Meridian Gate features a concave layout and consists of a main building in the middle and two wings that extend southwards. Looking from south to north, one can see three doorways in the middle tower; viewed from north to south, the middle tower has five doorways. The Meridian Gate stands on the central axis of the Forbidden City.
The central doorway was for exclusive use by the emperor in the Ming and Qing dynasties. However, an empress was granted the privilege of using this doorway once, and only once, on her wedding day during the Qing Dynasty. As a special honor granted by the emperor, the three best-performing candidates in the Palace Examination, the highest level of the imperial examinations, would be permitted to leave the imperial palace through the central doorway after their interview with the emperor.
The smaller door to the east was used by high-ranking officials while that to the west was used by the royal family. The remaining two doorways at the corners were used by lower-ranking officials and candidates attending the Palace Examination.
The strict rules of etiquette concerning the use of the Meridian Gate in ancient times reflect traditional Chinese cultural concepts such as "family management" and "state governance".
The Meridian Gate was also a venue for important ceremonies. In the Qing Dynasty, the emperor held a ceremony here to issue the next year's calendar on the 1st day of the tenth lunar month, which played a vital role in guiding agricultural activities. When the army returned in triumph after wars, the emperor received the captives and rewarded meritorious warriors at the Meridian Gate to promote national prestige.
The bells and drums at the Meridian Gate sounded together when grand ceremonies were held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. On such occasions, all doorways were open, and chariots, elephant sculptures, and other ceremonial instruments lined the passage, creating a solemn atmosphere.
The Meridian Gate is the biggest and most magnificent gate of the Forbidden City, reflecting royal authority and the solemnity of the former imperial palace. It is a significant historical site and cultural heritage that witnessed the vicissitudes of feudal China and a cultural symbol that carries profound historical memories.
午门
中国古代，“午”代表正午、正南。以“午”命名的午门，即紫禁城的正南门。
午门平面呈“凹”字形，中部为正楼，两侧为向南延伸的雁翅楼。从南往北看，中间墩台有三个门洞；从北望南看，则是五个门洞，即所谓的“明三暗五”。午门中门洞专供皇帝出入。在清代，皇后大婚当天可通过中门入宫。殿试前三名高中后可从中门出宫，这是天子赐予的无上殊荣。其余四个门洞，东侧大门供高级官员出入，西侧大门供宗室王公出入，左右两个掖门则供三品以下官员和殿试考生行走。午门“进”“出”的盛大仪礼，反映着“齐家”“治国”等中华传统文化理念。
午门也用于举办重要典礼。清代，农历十月初一，皇帝在此举办“颁朔礼”，颁布的历书对于指导农时农耕至关重要。遇战争获胜，在此举行“受俘礼”，奖励功臣，宣扬国威。举办大朝会时，午门钟鼓齐鸣，门洞齐开，车架、宝象等陈于路侧，十分隆重。
午门作为最大且最为壮观的城门，充分展现出紫禁城的皇家威仪与庄严肃穆。
