Foreword Preface Background Construction Materials The Imperial Axis Five Gates and Three Courts of the Son of Heaven The Meridian Gate Corner Towers Square of the Gate of Supreme Harmony The Gate of Supreme Harmony Spatial Design Square of the Hall of Supreme Harmony The Grand Wedding of Emperor Guangxu Layout of the Outer Court Palace Decorations Ceremonial Accompaniments The Three Main Halls Under the Sky The Hall of Supreme Harmony Revisited Colors�� Rooftops Between the Outer and Inner Courts The Grand Council�� the Hall of Mental Cultivation The Hall of Mental Cultivation The Rear Three Palaces The Six Eastern Palaces and the Six Western Palaces�� the Imperial Gardens Afterword Acknowledgements