We took a little jaunt through the Forbidden City today, and it is amazing. While there is nothing immediately awe-inspiring like Todaiji Temple, It's sheer size and wealth of massive architectural feats is unbelievable.
Random notes:
- The pair of lions that you see guarding the entrances at every Shinto shrine are standard fare at many major buildings in Beijing. The left one is the female, feeding her cub through her paw, while the one on the right is male and holding a ball under his paw...the ball representing the world.
- Roger Moore is the voice of the English audio tour.
- At Shinto shrines, a mirror is placed behind the alter to show that when a worshipper prays, that the image of god is really the image of the worshipper, as in: "God is also within you". The mirror is present within at least one of the palaces of the city.
- Chairmen Mao's massive portrait hangs over the entrance.
I'd be posting my pictures, but they aren't available for upload where I am.
....Something from the NY times about life in Beijing.
....And the new G-4 runs into a roadblock put up by China....I wonder why they are pushing for 6 new permanent seats..who are the other 2 nations they want on the UNSC?
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