Exploring the Secrets of the Qing Tombs, a Preliminary Study of the Tai Tomb of Emperor Yongzheng in the Western Tombs of the Qing Dynasty
Yongning Mountain, 120 kilometers southwest of Beijing, was a forbidden land more than a hundred years ago, with towering ancient trees, wind and water, and beautiful scenery. To the north are the foothills surrounded by peaks and mountains, and to the south are the meandering Yishui River. This is the Tomb of Western Qing Dynasty.
The camp is made of iron and the soldiers are flowing water.
If the Forbidden City is compared to a camp,
then the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties were like soldiers on the flowing water.
No one can regard the Forbidden City as their only one.
But the imperial mausoleum has its own uniqueness,
just like the emperor's personal luxurious private residence,
unlike the Forbidden City, which has too much repetition,
p>
Each imperial mausoleum
has a unique story,
and has a puzzling mystery that makes people extremely fascinated.
Satellite image shows the regulated terrain very intuitively
According to precedent, Yongzheng’s mausoleum should be built within the boundaries of Qingdong Tomb in Zunhua County, next to his father Kangxi. Therefore, he once regarded Dongling Jiufeng Chaoyang Mountain as his auspicious place for thousands of years, but Yongzheng did not build a mausoleum there, but established a separate mausoleum area in Yizhou. People have different opinions about this incident. One is that Yongzheng changed his position and usurped the throne and was buried next to the Jingling Mausoleum of Kangxi. The other is that Shizong (temple name) was very happy with his achievements, had a murderous nature, was proud of himself, and set up a separate mausoleum area to highlight himself. This statement is inconsistent with historical facts. But why did he move the mausoleum? According to the "History of Engineering" records, in order to abolish the Jiufeng Chaoyang Mountain mausoleum site, he once issued an edict: "This place is close to Xiaoling and Jingling, which is consistent with my original intention, and people who are proficient in Kanyu." In addition, I thought that although the scale was large, the shape was not complete, and the people in the cave were filled with sand and gravel, so it was really unusable." Therefore, Prince He Shuoyi and Gao Qizhuo, the governor of Liangjiang, were sent to choose another site for the mausoleum.
The land of royal tombs is indeed extraordinary? As soon as we arrived at the main entrance, we were trapped by a mystery.
Only the Tomb of Western Qing Dynasty built three stone archways of the same shape outside Dahongmen, one on the front and one on the left and right sides. Two stone unicorns were also built outside Dahongmen. In other mausoleums, such as the Ming Tombs and the Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty, they all have a stone archway. Why are there three stone archways in the Western Tomb of the Qing Dynasty? Are there two stone unicorns outside the door?
Grapevine explanation: When Emperor Yongzheng was the prince, he lived in the Lama Temple for a long time. In the south courtyard of Yonghe Temple stand three tall archways, a huge screen wall and a pair of stone lions. Emperor Yongzheng, who liked unique innovations, believed that his ability to become emperor was closely related to the Feng Shui of his residence. So he moved the style of the Yangjian house where he lived to the Yinzhuang where he lived after his death, and built three stone structure archway gates and two stone unicorns at the Dahongmen of the Western Tombs of the Qing Dynasty.
In November 2000, the Western Tombs of the Qing Dynasty and the Eastern Tombs of the Qing Dynasty were listed as world cultural heritage by the 24th World Heritage Committee.
Tip 2 of the Mystery of the Stone Archway: Suppress the Water Monster. This place was originally a large pool, inhabited by old turtles who had achieved enlightenment through cultivation. When people filled up the large puddle for construction, in order to contain more and more water, the local state official put the big seal into the water. In order to suppress the water monsters in a long-term and stable manner, two more stone archways were specially built, each with a height of 12.5 meters and a width of 31.85 meters, with five doors, six columns and eleven floors. They were completely made of huge stones using wooden structure carving and construction methods. .
The exquisite relief royal stone carvings are astonishingly detailed. Pay attention to the five-clawed golden dragon, which is exclusive to the imperial mausoleum. The image of dragon is powerful and domineering.
The stone unicorn, which does not exist in any other mausoleum, is still standing in its original position after hundreds of years. It is not easy to find a real royal cultural relic.
Huabiao, also known as Huanbiao, Biaomu or slander wood, is a wooden pillar used in ancient China to indicate that the king received advice or showed the way. It appeared in the era of Yao and Shun. During Yao's time, wooden plaques were set up on traffic thoroughfares for people to write advice and criticize the current shortcomings. Ancient Chinese watches were all made of wood. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, stone pillars began to be used. Large pillars erected in front of palaces, bridges, mausoleums, etc. are also called Shinto pillars and stone pillars.
The stele tower of the sacred merits and virtues, and the stele tree in the pavilion are used to show the emperor's merits? The top of the mountain has double eaves and yellow glazed tiles. Built on a square blue and white stone base. Each eaves has an arched door opening.
This is Bixi, who likes to carry heavy objects. Therefore, his shape is all under the stele.
Inside the stele building, there stand two huge stone stele, each weighing 56.55 tons. The positive side of the stele body is engraved with the great achievements of Emperor Yongzheng in both Manchu and Chinese characters, about 5,000 words. This is An important material that praises Yongzheng.
Going forward are various stone statues. The stone figures and stone beasts installed in front of the emperor's tomb are collectively called stone statues, also known as "Weng Zhong". It is the epitome of the royal guard.
In the Ming Dynasty, whenever a grand ceremony was held, in addition to the civil and military officials and military honor guards lined up on both sides, artificially tamed lions, elephants and other animals were also put in cages and placed on both sides of the royal road to symbolize Strengthen the power of the emperor. After the emperor died, the same pomp was needed, so a stone statue was set up in front of the mausoleum. This practice began in the Qin and Han Dynasties, and has been used by emperors and important officials of all dynasties since then, but the number and images are different.
Five pairs of stone statues are installed in the north of Tailing Seven-hole Bridge and on both sides of the Shinto. They are "lion, elephant, horse, civil servants and generals". The sculptures are crude and simple, highlighting their respective charms.
Civil servants and generals stand in line, do you think they have cute expressions?
This is the famous watch pillar. The stone carving technology of the Qing Dynasty has been greatly developed, and the carvings of the watch pillars have become more and more exquisite. The cloud decorations on the two cloud pillars in front of you are lifelike and full of three-dimensionality. , I’m afraid only royal palaces and gardens can achieve this kind of skill and magnanimity.
As part of the large-scale monumental complex of mausoleums, the stone statues have no customized configuration. When Tailing was built, it was not set up due to Feng Shui reasons. Until the thirteenth year of Qianlong (1748), Emperor Qianlong, in order to show his filial piety, ignored the opposition of his ministers and forcibly built five pairs of stone statues, which caused conflicts between him and his ministers.
At the end, there is the Dragon and Phoenix Gate.
Dragon and Phoenix Gate: Qing Dynasty mausoleum system, archway-style building. It is composed of six stone pillars and four sections of glazed walls, with three doors and a flame-style archway.
Here is an intuitive satellite image, which is easier for everyone to understand.
Behind the Dragon and Phoenix Gate is another three-hole stone arch bridge. At this point, you enter the main part of Tailing Mausoleum District. After walking a few hundred meters, you can see the three-way three-hole stone arch bridge and the small stele tower. After the small stele tower, you can see It is the square in front of Longen Gate. There are two court rooms and prison rooms in the east and west of the square. They are used for making pastries and sweets during sacrifices and for guard duty. On the east side of the square, there is a courtyard facing east and west, which is the kitchen warehouse. As the name suggests, it is a kitchen warehouse. The courtyard of the Divine Kitchen Storehouse includes three sacred storehouses in the north, east and south and a slaughtering pavilion in the southeast corner. There is also a well pavilion on the south side outside the wall of Shenchuku for easy access to water.
After passing two three-hole stone bridges, you enter the palace area. There will be another legend here.
Tailing is the mausoleum of Yongzheng. It is the earliest, largest and most complete imperial mausoleum among the Western Tombs. Tailing was once thought to have been stolen, so in 1980, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage approved the cleanup and excavation of the Tailing underground palace. However, after excavating 2 meters along the entrance of the robbery cave, it was found that the bottom was original soil. The robbery cave was only dug two meters, and the Tailing Tomb had not been stolen. Therefore, we did not continue to dig.
There was once a legend that Emperor Yongzheng died violently and his body was headless, which became a difficult case in Chinese history that could never be solved. There were even rumors that there was a head made of gold in the mausoleum, but all this is unknown It's just a conjecture at the moment. All the answers can only be revealed through archaeological excavations. ?
This is a Shinto stele pavilion with a posthumous title stele inside. The emperor's temple name, posthumous title and emblem are engraved on the tablet: Sejong Jingtian, Changyun Jianzhong, Zongwen, Wuyingming, Kuanrenxinxin, Yirui, Sage, filial piety and sincerity.
Further north is the Longen Gate. Inside the gate, the magnificent Longen Hall is in the middle, with the east and west side halls on both sides. Together with the Longen Gate, they form a spacious courtyard, giving people a solemn and solemn impression. Feel.
The West Side Hall is where lamas chant sutras.
Long'en Hall is the largest in the mausoleum area and has three warm pavilions. In the middle is the Ming Room, where there is a shrine, a fairy tower, hanging curtains, and the memorial tablets of the emperor and empress. A treasure bed is placed in the Xinuan Pavilion, and a sandalwood pedestal is set on the bed to enshrine the tablets of the concubines. When the emperor paid a visit to the mausoleum, the emperor, the king, and the princes all wore plain clothes. During the grand feast, the emperor wore court clothes, and the princes and officials who accompanied the sacrifice also wore formal clothes to attend the ceremony.
The silk incinerators on the left and right sides are used for burning paper.
Entering the Long En Hall, you looked up and your eyes were attracted by the complicated ceiling.
Well, here is Yongzheng’s cosplay time.
Qing Shizong, named Aixinjueluo Yinzhen (December 13, 1678 - October 28, 1735), the fourth son of Emperor Kangxi, succeeded to the throne after Kangxi died of illness, and became the leader of the Qing Dynasty Guan Di Di.
Yongzheng was a very complex and contradictory historical figure. He was an outstanding politician who was brave in innovation and diligent in governing. He reformed and rectified the long-standing shortcomings in Kangxi's later years, swept away the decadence, and clarified the officialdom. , stable governance, full treasury, and lightened people’s burdens. But after all, he was a feudal emperor with major faults and limitations. There were also great doubts about his succession to the throne.
In terms of achievements: Yongzheng first abolished the "capitation tax" that had been in place for thousands of years and implemented the "dividing a person into an mu" that was beneficial to poor peasants. This was a major change in China's tax system; he founded the Military Aircraft Department , Promote the memorial system. In the Ming Dynasty, power was concentrated in the cabinet, so the powerful ministers came into being. Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty further concentrated power in the hands of the emperor and established the Military Aircraft Department. The military aircraft minister dealt directly with various localities and ministries, understood local conditions, and conveyed the emperor's wishes. He also implemented the reform of native land in minority areas, combating and limiting the separatism and privileges of chieftains. , which is beneficial to the economic and cultural development of ethnic minority areas. In addition, Yongzheng also had many commendable political achievements, such as punishing corruption, liberating untouchables, pacifying Luobu Zangdanjin, and first dispatching ministers to Tibet, etc., which contributed to the unification and development of China.
The Yongzheng Emperor’s Zhu Pi is on display. Modern commonly known as red-headed documents.
Leaving Long'en Hall, two bronze tables are still standing despite hundreds of years of wind and rain.
The details are touching when you look closely. Royal things are made with no expense spared.
A pair of copper cylinders made in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, used for fire protection.
Slowly walked into the backyard. . .
This is the rear dormitory gate, which regards death as life, and has the same architectural quality as the Forbidden City.
There is also a two-pillar gate in the back bedroom. There are stone five offerings, square city, Minglou, Baocheng, Baoding, underground palace and other buildings. The Stone Five Offering is a place where the royal family members offer sacrifices. The altar is divided into upper and lower parts. There is a stone incense burner in the upper part and a bottle in the middle. There are stone vases and paraffin skewers on both sides. There are three kinds of five kinds of offerings, all of which are It is carved from blue and white stone, so it is called "Five Stone Offerings". The altar seat is a Xumizuo carved from two huge stones. There are many exquisite carving patterns around the Xumizuo, such as the legendary "Eight Immortals" pattern.
This is the Erzhumen, made in Qing Dynasty mausoleums. It is located on the Zhongzhong Shinto not far north of the mausoleum gate. It consists of two square prismatic stone pillars and a mezzanine. The top of the stone pillar is looking at the sky and roaring. Although this building is called a gate, in fact, coffins and coffins do not pass through here, and those visiting the mausoleum do not pass through here. It is a purely ritual building and has no practical value.
One of the Five Stone Offerings.
To the north of the Shiwu altar, stand the square city and the Ming Tower, which are the tallest buildings in the entire mausoleum area. The majestic square city holds up the exquisite and colorful Ming Tower. Inlaid in the clear blue sky, it forms a beautiful picture.
Passing through the ticket gate, I saw the legendary Mute Courtyard.
Although the architectural forms of Mute Courtyard or Crescent City were created in the early Ming Dynasty, their names are not found in any official records of the Ming Dynasty. There is no mention of it in the official archives of the Qing Dynasty. Its name is clearly recorded in the design drawings of the Qing Dynasty emperor's mausoleums drawn by Xiang Lei. For example, in the Xianfeng Dingling Mausoleum "Follow the accurate ironing sample and bury the bricks in ashes according to the size of the square", there is such a mark as "Crescent City" "The depth from the cave to the outer surface of Crescent City is 13 feet, 1 foot and 9 inches deep." "From the bottom of the trough to the upper surface of Yaba Courtyard, the depth is 2 feet, 3 feet, 3 inches."
In "Follow the accurate ironing sample and immerse the bricks in ashes according to the size of the flat surface", I don't know whether it is due to a mistake or other reasons, the character "ba" in the dumb courtyard is written as "ba".
From the analysis of "Follow the accurate ironing sample and immerse the bricks in ashes according to the size of the square", it seems that Crescent City and Dumb Courtyard are two building names. The basis for naming Dumb Courtyard is What? Many experts and scholars quoted folklore saying that the imperial court was worried about leaking secrets about the entrance to the underground palace, so it used mutes to work here. Whether it is the Ming Tomb or the Qing Tomb, the tombs are heavily guarded, and ordinary people have no chance to enter the mausoleum area. Moreover, there are many people involved in the design and construction of the mausoleum. If you really want to guard against their gossip, you may not be able to guard against them.
Mr. Hu Hansheng, an expert on Ming Dynasty tombs, believes that the mute courtyard is a figurative term because it is a small, closed and deep courtyard. People enter from the square corridor and are immediately surrounded by walls with glazed screen walls. If your body is blocked, you can't walk straight, just like your throat is blocked and a mute can't speak.
There are stone tablets in the Minglou. The base of the tablet is a Xumizuo, with reliefs of swimming dragons and colorful decorations. The body of the tablet is painted with cinnabar. The tablet is engraved with the words "Sejong's Constitution" in Manchu, Han and Mongolian. The words "Emperor's Mausoleum".
The exquisite stone carvings with dragon patterns create royal majesty everywhere.
Looking out from Baocheng, there are all rare tree species surrounding the mausoleum. It has been hundreds of years and now it has become a giant tree. There are tall walls on both sides of the square city, and a circle around the tomb is called Baocheng. The huge raised mound in the middle of Baocheng is the tomb of Emperor Yongzheng, and its name is Baoding. The area of Tailing Baoding is more than 3,600 square meters, which is the largest among the Baodings of Xiling. Below the Baoding is the underground palace with a huge project. In addition to the burial of Emperor Yongzheng in the underground palace, Empress Xiaojingxian and Imperial Concubine Dunsu are also buried. ?
From the satellite image, you can get a glimpse of the huge treasure top. The fourth master is indeed extraordinary.
Panoramic view of Tailing.
The construction of Tailing took eight years. Tailing is the largest mausoleum among the Western Mausoleums of the Qing Dynasty and is also the core part of the Western Mausoleum. There are three tall and exquisite stone archways in the front and back and a Shinto Road more than ten meters wide and five kilometers long, running through the north and south of the mausoleum area. The stone statues on both sides of the Shinto include three pairs of stone beasts, a pair of civil servants, and a pair of military ministers. The Tailing stone statues were made using a freehand technique, using thick and thick lines to outline the images of people and animals, and then using fine embroidery lines to express details and patterns. It embodies the unique carving techniques of stone carving art in the Qing Dynasty.
The main building of Tailing starts from the flame archway at the southernmost end. After crossing a five-hole stone arch bridge, the longest sacred road in Xiling begins - the 2.5-kilometer long Tailing Divine Road. Follow the sacred road to To the north of Baoding, there are the stone archway, Dahongmen, Gufu Hall, Dabei Tower, seven-hole bridge, pillars, stone statues, Longfeng Gate, three-way three-hole bridge, posthumous stele pavilion, divine kitchen library, east and west There are buildings such as the court room, the east and west guard rooms, the Long En Gate, the silk burning furnace, the East and West side halls, the Long En Hall, the three gates, the two pillar gates, the five stone offerings, the square city tower, the mute courtyard, and the Baoding.
Looking back at Tailing, the main buildings are lined up on a central axis, which is really spectacular.
Exploring ancient times and thinking about them,
This is exactly what you cannot get in daily life.
Old things are like moonlight, exuding a calm atmosphere.
When you are troubled, touch old things,
A state of mind similar to relief will arise spontaneously.
Time sprinkles on old things and also on my heart.