Dome

Interior, audience hall, coffered ceiling; The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. The Inner Palace, on the main axis north of the five-bay Gate of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing men), was a more private part of the Forbidden City. The three inner halls mirror the three great halls of state in the front precinct including the Palace of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing gong). Dragons dominate the decoration of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the most important building of the group as indicated by its double-eaved, hipped roof. It has a prominent roof ridge with dragon acroteria. It is set on a single-level white marble platform. It is connected to the Gate of Heavenly Purity to its south by a raised walkway. The Palace of Heavenly Purity was first constructed in the early Ming dynasty in 1421. The present structure dates from the early 19th century. It served for centuries as the living and sleeping quarters of the ruling Emperor. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 5/10/2011)