Architecture and Hierarchy

 Ancient Chinese architecture styles vary greatly, depending on the social class an individual owner belonged to. For instance, totally different from the commoner architecture, the Forbidden City-- the most magnificent Quadruple in China -- is a typical example of imperial omnipotence.

 Imperial Palaces

The Forbidden City

The imperial palace of ancient China is a miracle in world architectural history. Take the Forbidden City for example, especially concerning its use of colors. Since yellow is the imperial color, the most noticeable are the yellowrooftiles, while the wooden columns of the buildings as well as the surface of the walls are red in color.

Another important feature of the Forbidden City is its emphasis on symmetry, which connotes a sense of grandeur. Even the style of the roof shows the power of the sovereign, with the ridges engraved with the immortal or beasts symbolizing stateliness.

The overall arrangement of the Forbidden City accords with traditional Chinese ritual requirements and the Yin-Yang Principle. It boasts five distinctive features:

First, the front part is a place for the emperor to handle official businesses, and the rear part is the residence for emperors and concubines.

Second, within the complex there are several immense courtyards divided by individual gates.

Third, there is a shrine for the ancestors in the east and another one for the agricultural deities in the west.

Fourth, the structure is symmetrical.

Finally, in addition to the palaces, there is still a fabulous garden for the imperial family to relax themselves.

 Residential Buildings of the Royal Relatives

Compared with the imperial palace, residential buildings for the royal relatives seemed less solemn and much smaller in size and scale. There were less sidesteps in front of gates, and instead of the colored-glaze tiles peculiar to the imperial palaces, green and gray ones were employed. Also, ridges could be decorated with engraved beasts; however, the number of beasts could not exceed nine because the number "nine" carried a special significance in old China and symbolized the emperor's supreme sovereignty.

 Mandarins' Residence

Although lower in rank than the above two categories, mandarins' residence was also restricted by a set of rules. All buildings were legally regulated. "Guardian lions" were not allowed to stand in front of the gate; and engraved beasts were forbidden to decorate ridges of roof.

 Residence of Wealthy Business People

Different from government officials, business people belonged to a much lower social class no matter how rich they might were. Doors of these people's buildings were totally different in style from that of officials' residence. One obvious difference lies in the fact that there were no ornaments around the door symbolic of official position in ancient Chinese hierarchical society.

 Residence of Ordinary People

Ordinary people could not afford buildings as decent as those of the wealthy or officials.Doors and windows were much smaller; humble guava, rather than noble crabapple, could be found in their courtyard; and even goldfish could only enjoy themselves in special bowls rather than spacious ponds. Poor as they may be, ordinary people could enjoy a serene and happy life.