The auspicious character fu written by five Qing Dynasty emperors－(from left) Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing and Daoguang－will be displayed in the Palace Museum to celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year. (Photo provided to China Daily)
In addition, scenes of Chinese New Year banquets are portrayed in replicas based on studies of royal files.
Ren Wanping, deputy director of the Palace Museum and the exhibition's curator, tells media that royal celebrations for Spring Festival also included homages to heaven, expressing wishes for the country's prosperity, and revealing rulers' determination and diligence. Consequently, the precious Gold Chalice of Eternal Stability inlaid with gemstones, an iconic artifact showing such expectations, is part of the exhibition catalog as are other relics with similar cultural meanings.
Digital equipment is used in the exhibition to enable visitors to have immersive experiences of "participating" in the rituals.
Ren says the exhibition has taken nine months to prepare, and the festive elements will be added across the Forbidden City－even beyond the gallery, where the display will be held. For example, antithetical couplets and "door gods" are to be pasted on all major gates along visitor routes in the complex.
