The Meridian Gate (,
Chữ Hán
( , ) are the Chinese characters that were used to write Literary Chinese in Vietnam, Literary Chinese (; ) and Sino-Vietnamese vocabulary in Vietnamese language, Vietnamese. They were officially used in Vietnam after the Red River Delta region ...
: 午門), also known as the ''South Gate'', is the main gate to the
Imperial City, Huế
Imperial is that which relates to an empire, Emperor, emperor/empress, or imperialism.
Imperial or The Imperial may also refer to:
Places
United States
* Imperial, California
* Imperial, Missouri
* Imperial, Nebraska
* Imperial, Pennsylvania
...
, located within the citadel of Huế.
History
Constructed in 1833 in the traditional Vietnamese Nguyen style under the rule of emperor
Minh Mạng
Minh Mạng (), also known as Minh Mệnh (, vi-hantu, 明 命, lit. "the bright favour of Heaven"; 25 May 1791 – 20 January 1841; born Nguyễn Phúc Đảm, also known as Nguyễn Phúc Kiểu), was the second emperor of the Nguyễ ...
, it was used by the sovereign as an observation point for troop movements and ceremonies. It was modeled after the
Meridian Gate
The Meridian Gate or Wumen (; Manchu: ; Möllendorff: ''julergi dulimbai duka'') is the southern and largest gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. Unlike the other gates of the Forbidden City, the Meridian Gate has two protruding arms ...
of the Forbidden City in Beijing, China. Like the original in Beijing, the Meridian Gate in Huế is composed of a main, central section and two protruding wings, representing
que towers
The que () is a freestanding, ceremonial gate tower in traditional Chinese architecture. First developed in the Zhou dynasty (1046–256 BC), ''que'' towers were used to form ceremonial gateways to tombs, palaces and temples throughout pre-moder ...
, traditional towers marking the entrance of palaces, temples and tombs.
The gate is divided into two levels: the stone and brick fortress-like base structure, and the more elaborate, palace-like upper level.
The ground level has five entrances, of which the centre one was always reserved for the monarch's use only. The two, slightly smaller, side entrances were reserved for
mandarin
Mandarin or The Mandarin may refer to:
Language
* Mandarin Chinese, branch of Chinese originally spoken in northern parts of the country
** Standard Chinese or Modern Standard Mandarin, the official language of China
** Taiwanese Mandarin, Stand ...
s, soldiers and horses. The two small arched entrances on the side were for the rest and commoners.
The upper level consists of the "Five-
Phoenix Pavilion" (''Lầu Ngũ Phụng''). From the main hall, the emperor would watch troop movements and his subjects bringing homage. The pavilion's roof is decked in imperial yellow, glazed ceramic roof tiles. On the roof tiles are various animals and creatures to ward off evil. The main hall is flanked by two side pavilions, which were reserved for members of the court.
The gate was able to survive the large-scale destruction during the
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...
.
Gallery
File:Ngọ môn, Huế.jpg, Ngọ Môn (front view).
File:Hoàng thành Huế.jpg, Ngũ Phụng Tower is clearly visible against the light blue sky.
File:Một góc Ngọ Môn.jpg, A corner of Ngọ Môn.
File:Du khách viếng thăm Lầu Ngũ Phụng.JPG, Many tourists are standing in front of Ngọ Môn.
File:Đại Nội Huế.JPG, The area behind Ngọ Môn.
File:Ngọ Môn.png, Ngọ Môn at night.
File:Cửa Ngọ Môn.jpg, A corner of Ngọ Môn gate.
External links
Imperial City of Huế
City gates
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