The sacred path is a walkway that leads to the Ming Tombs. It is lined with 9 pairs of real and mythical animals carved from great stone blocks. One of the pair is sitting, the other is standing. The animals give way to 9 pairs of generals, administrators, and scholars (can you find the general? Hint: he has the drum stick). 9 is a sacred number that symbolizes the Emperor. The sacred walk ends as you pass through the archway of fire, so called because the carvings atop the arch resemble flames.
The same Emperor that built the Forbidden City also started building his tomb, the first Ming Tomb, at the time he was named Emperor. I believe it took 21 years to complete his tomb, many more years to complete the City. There are 13 Ming tombs, but only one, that of Emperor Ding, has been uncovered. The archaeologists dug three different tunnels before they found a stone whose carvings stated that the door to the tomb was so many feet forward, and so many feet to the left....and the stone carving was correct! The door actually had been permanently closed through an engineered stone that dropped into place when the two doors met upon closing. Ingenious, I say!
My camera battery ran out of juice just as we entered the tomb, so pictures are limited. Fortunately, I could plug it in in my room to re-charge for Days 3 & 4!
My camera battery ran out of juice just as we entered the tomb, so pictures are limited. Fortunately, I could plug it in in my room to re-charge for Days 3 & 4!
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