Gate of Eastern Flower in the Forbidden City

The Gate of Eastern Flower in the Forbidden City and the Gate of Western Flower are symmetrical and located respectively in the southeast and southwest of the Forbidden City. As they served as entrances for officials, if they were located in due east and west, they would be too near to the Inner Court and that would be offensive to the imperial family. Outside the Gate of Eastern Flower, there is a Horse Dismounting Stele, at which the officials had to dismount from their horsebacks, in order to show their reverence for the Imperial Palace.

When the officials went to court, they would dismount from their horsebacks at the Stele and then enter the Imperial Palace on foot. Those whom the emperor granted the permission to ride horses or take carriages in the Imperial Palace were exceptions. After the Qing emperors died, their coffins would be carried out of the Imperial Palace from the Gate of Eastern Flower and sent to the Hall of Longevity of the Emperor in the Prospect Hill. At the Festival of the Dead Spirits, the imperial family would have dharma boats burned outside the Gate. In the tower above the Gate were stored the emperor’s parade armors, which would be aired once a year, The Horse-Dismounting Stele outside the Gate of Eastern Flower. The officials should dismount from their horsebacks there and enter the Palace on foot.

Relevant attractions in the Forbidden City

Meridian Gate: the Gate with Five Phoenixes
Gate of Spiritual Valor
Gate of Eastern Flower
Gate of Western Flower
City Wall and Corner Tower
Moat
Golden Water River