Hong Kong Palace Museum | Qing Court in Four Seasons: Life and Culture of the Imperial Household

Exhibition introduction

Exhibition introduction

An emperor's right to rule was granted by Heaven, according to ancient Chinese belief. That is why all rulers, dynasty after dynasty, paid attention to the accuracy of the calendar, which was based on observation of the skies. Rulers also emphasised the importance of aligning their lifestyle and activities with the natural cycle of the year.

This exhibition presents aspects of the economy, politics, military activities, lifestyle and culture of the Qing imperial court during the four seasons. We will follow the busy schedule of the Qing (1644–1911) rulers and catch glimpses of important court activities during the year. The exhibition begins with an introduction to the calendar used by the Qing imperial court. With the beginning of spring, the court focused on agriculture and sericulture and held ceremonies related to tilling and weaving. In summer, the court moved to the cooler Chengde Mountain Resort to escape the heat. Here, the emperor met with leaders of various tribes, a testament to the multicultural nature of the Qing court. In autumn, the court relocated to the Mulan Hunting Grounds and turned its attention to military training and the cultivation of martial prowess. In winter, the court celebrated the Lunar New Year and expressed wishes for the upcoming year.

The exhibition is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Palace Museum and The Palace Museum.

Vase with flowers of the twelve months

Vase with flowers of the twelve months

The patterns on the vase are layered, with flowers associated with the 12 months painted on the body.

People have had the habit of cultivating and appreciating flowers since ancient times. Flower arrangement flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the Wanli reign of the Ming dynasty, The Manual of Flower Arrangement written by Zhang Qiande (1577–1643) and The History of Vases written by Yuan Hongdao (1568–1610) were the classics of Chinese flower-arrangement theory. During the Qing dynasty, the Kangxi Emperor commissioned to compile The Expanded Floral Compendium, which illustrated the species, cultivation methods, and historical allusions of over a thousand types of flowers, fruits, and plants, serving as a botanical encyclopedia and reflecting the Qing court’s emphasis on flower arrangement.

Traditionally, the birthday of all flowers, celebrated in the Flower Festival, falls in the second lunar month. The Qing court built temples dedicated to flower deities on such imperial grounds as Yuanming yuan and the Chengde Mountain Resort. They enshrined and made offerings to the 12 flower deities, each representing a month, to pray for flourishing flora and bountiful harvests.

Right-spiralling conch

Right-spiralling conch

In 1780, the Sixth Panchen Lama travelled to the Chengde Mountain Resort to celebrate the Qianlong Emperor’s 70th birthday. This conch was one of the precious tributes presented by the Sixth Panchen Lama to the Qianlong Emperor. A conch shell is one of the common ritual implements in Buddhist ceremonies. It signifies the resonant voice of the Buddha and the far-reaching spread of the Buddhist doctrine and is believed to dispel evil spirits and eliminate karmic obstacles.

The spiral on top of the conch shell rotates counterclockwise—a direction referred to as “right-spiralling” during the Qing dynasty. Right-spiralling shells are exceptionally rare and precious, which prompted the Qianlong Emperor to extol this one as a “supreme treasure”. Beyond symbolising auspiciousness and longevity, a right-spiralling conch was further regarded as possessing the power to calm winds and waves, ensuring safe passage across the seas. This tribute not only reflects the close relationship between the Qing court and Tibetan religious leaders but also exemplifies the Qing dynasty’s philosophy of fostering multi-ethnic harmony.

Vase with the “One Hundred Deer” pattern with bat-shaped handles

Vase with the “One Hundred Deer” pattern with bat-shaped handles

This vase here depicts a large herd of deer frolicking in the woods. In Chinese, the word for deer shares the same pronunciation as the word for emolument. Besides, the deer was regarded as a mythological creature that could live for a thousand years. In Han culture, the “One Hundred Deer” pattern expresses the wish for boundless fortune and longevity.

Deer also held a special place in Manchu culture, which valued hunting. Herds of deer could be seen at many important imperial sites, including the Chengde Mountain Resort, the Southern Park, and the Jingyi Garden in Beijing. Objects and paintings with deer patterns showcased the integration of Manchu and Han Chinese cultural traditions.

Square burner with four feet

Square burner with four feet

In winter, people nowadays turn on heaters to keep warm; in the Qing dynasty, the court adopted various measures to ward off the bitter cold of Beijing, among them the use of the essential burners. Decorated with cloisonné enamel, this square burner with four feet has two parts—the upper part is covered with openwork, while the lower part is a basin containing charcoal. Aromatic ingredients could be added to the burning charcoal to scent clothing and add a delicate fragrance to the interior space.

One of the fuels used for the burners was “red basket charcoal”, reserved exclusively for the Qing court. Made of hardwood from the Hebei area, this charcoal was of superior quality. It would not crackle when burning and could last for a long time while producing little smoke and giving off a subtle fragrance. For these reasons, it was regarded as the finest of charcoals. Due to limited production, this type of charcoal was reserved exclusively for the emperor, empress dowager, and high-ranking imperial consorts.