China News Service, Beijing, February 5th: Title: "Looking for the Dragon" in the Royal Garden: How many dragons are hidden in China's only double-sided nine-dragon wall?
China News Service reporter Chen Hang
Red lanterns are hung on the branches and the Chinese character "Fu" is pasted on the red wall. The decorated Beihai Park "forecasts" the coming Spring Festival in the Year of the Dragon. Mr. Yu, a 26-year-old Beijing resident, took a group photo with his friends in front of the Nine Dragon Wall to pray for happiness and good health in the Year of the Dragon.
To the west of Beijing's central axis and northwest of the Palace Museum, lies Beihai Park, the earliest and best-preserved royal garden in China.
January 30, Wulong Pavilion in Beihai Park, Beijing. Photo by China News Service reporter Sheng Jiapeng
"Beihai Park was built in the sixth year of Dading in Jin Dynasty (1166 AD) and has gone through several dynasties of Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. As a model of Chinese classical gardens, Beihai Park has inherited the royal garden construction model that has lasted for more than two thousand years in China. ." Zhang Mian, director of the Beihai Park Research Office, said that for more than 800 years, this place has been one of the core places of Chinese political life, providing unique testimony to the palace life of China's feudal emperors, including sacrifices, political discussions, celebrations, and sightseeing. At the same time, the park integrates royal gardens, literati gardens, temple gardens, and scenic spots, comprehensively reflecting the achievements of ancient Chinese gardening art.
Entering from the north gate of Beihai Park, heading west, you will see the Nine Dragon Wall, which is about 26 meters long, about 6 meters high and about 1.5 meters wide. Dragons in different postures fly and dance among the waves and clouds. Zhang Mian said that the Nine Dragon Wall is a type of screen wall. The Nine Dragon Wall in Beihai Park was originally the screen wall in front of the mountain gate of the Great Round Mirror Zhibaodian. Together with the Nine Dragon Wall in the Forbidden City and the Nine Dragon Wall in Datong, it is known as the "Three Nine Dragon Walls in China".
On January 30, the Nine Dragon Wall in Beihai Park, Beijing. Photo by China News Service reporter Sheng Jiapeng
As the only existing double-sided Nine Dragon Wall in China, there are nine giant dragons on the north and south sides of the Nine Dragon Wall in Beihai Park. Zhang Mian said that as the only fictional mythical animal among the twelve zodiac signs, the image and meaning of the dragon have continued to evolve throughout history. The dragon was the symbol of the highest power in ancient times. The Nine Dragon Wall here was built in the 21st year of Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty. Except for the coiling dragon in the middle, the nine dragons on the wall are the rising dragon climbing between the sea of clouds and the rising dragon diving back. The body is divided into five panels, and the design and decoration contain the "Nine-Five Number" that symbolizes imperial power and the dignity of the emperor.
How many dragons are there on the Nine Dragon Wall? The reporter saw that dragons of different shapes can be found on the main ridge, vertical ridge, tube tiles, long vertical ridges, etc. of the majestic Nine Dragon Wall.
On January 31, the Nine Dragon Wall in Beihai Park, Beijing. Photo by China News Service reporter Sheng Jiapeng
"According to statistics, there are more than 600 dragon-shaped shapes of various sizes on the Nine Dragon Wall." Zhang Mian said that the four sides of the Nine Dragon Wall are inlaid with 424 colorful glazed bricks, reaching the peak of ancient production technology and an important part of China's excellent traditional culture. One of the representatives.
In order to protect this precious cultural relic soaked in historical growth rings, Beihai Park commissioned professional academic institutions to use specialized instruments and equipment to monitor the Nine Dragon Wall for a long time, collecting values such as tilt, settlement, and micro-environmental changes to understand the overall condition of the cultural relics. In order to formulate a scientific and reasonable protection plan.
"Beihai Park is committed to presenting the historical original appearance of the royal gardens in their original state." Zhang Mian said that in recent years, the park has also focused on the inheritance and innovative development of traditional culture. One of them is to "bring" traditional culture home through a series of cultural and creative products, including dragon-shaped refrigerator magnets, dragon-shaped pillows, dragon-shaped seals, etc.
He said that this year is the Year of the Dragon in the Lunar Calendar, and Beihai Park has teamed up with Beijing Caishikou Department Store Co., Ltd. to launch precious metal jewelry such as Kowloon Auspicious Gold Ping An Buckle, Ping An Wu Shi Brand, and Kowloon Pure Gold Transfer Beads. The Kowloon Auspicious Series products focus on cultural inheritance and innovation. The design incorporates the shapes of the coiling dragon, the rising dragon and the returning dragon on the Kowloon wall, which means that career will rise step by step and life will flourish.
"The dragon is one of the most representative totems and cultural symbols of the Chinese nation. Dragon culture is endless and has a profound impact on the Chinese and Chinese society." Xiong Haifeng, associate professor at the School of Cultural Industry Management of Communication University of China, said that by digging into the meaning of traditional culture With the connotation of the times, combined with modern design concepts and creativity, many "dragon element" cultural and creative products have been popular in the market, carrying the people's yearning and expectations for a better life in the New Year.
On January 30, the invitational exhibition of the Global Lucky Zodiac Design Competition was held in Beihai Park, Beijing. Photo by China News Service reporter Sheng Jiapeng
As time goes by, Beihai Park, represented by the Nine Dragon Wall and the White Tower, has long been transformed from the residence and playground of feudal emperors into a place serving the public cultural life.
The New Year of the Year of the Dragon is approaching, and Beihai Park will launch a "New Year Lion Dance" performance, a New Year "blessing", a global auspicious zodiac design competition invitational exhibition and other activities, allowing the public to appreciate the "dragon" while appreciating and searching for the "dragon". It is a traditional festival full of flavor, and I look forward to good luck in the new year. (over)