Forbidden City Gilded Male Lion - 9 The Gate of Supreme Harmony (Taihemen), north of the first courtyard, is the main gate of the Outer Court. The gate is guarded by a couple of bronze lions, which aimed to show imperial dignity. The west one is male, with its front right paw resting on a ball, symbolizing imperial power extended worldwide. The lioness on the east side has its front left paw on a lion cub, indicating a prosperously growing family and the never-ending secession of the imperial lineage. Click to See Gilded Female Lion⇦ Back to Page 8 On to Page 10 ⇨ Hi-Res Pic (155K) Return to Forbidden City Page 2 |