Forbidden City: Gate of Divine Prowess Ⅰ

The northern gate of the Forbidden City faces Jingshan Hill and is called Shenwumen, the 'Gate of Divine Prowess'. Previously,  during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), it was named Xuanwu Gate. This  was in accordance with the principles of Fengshui that recoginized a god for each of the cardinal points of the compass. These gods were Azure Dragon, in the east; White Tiger, in the west; Vermilion Bird in the south and Xuanwu (Murky Warrior) in the north. During the reign of Qing Emperor Kangxi, the name was considered taboo due to its similarity to the emperor’s personal name ‘Xuanye’. So, out of respect, the gate became known as 'Shenwumen’.