This is one of the buildings in the Forbidden City - The Emperor lived here, and I believe that they were built in the Ming Dynasty, but I need to double check my information.
I thought that she was too cute, and had to catch a photo.
More buildings in the City..... They believe that there are nine levels up to Heaven, and eighteen levels to hell..... the rooftops of these buildings signify the level by the amount of those animals in the corner. As you approached the Emperors Residence, the level was higher, and the most important building had the most of these figures.
At the entrance to the city, (where you paid to enter), this was to our left.
Here's my man .....
This housed water, that was constantly heated with fire, so that in the event of fire, they had access to water to douse the flames. If it wasn't heated, in these temps, it would have been frozen.... this was China's version of a fire extinguisher.
To touch this is said to bring good luck......
Apparently, rocks were a big deal, and many Empires spent their entire fortunes in moving rocks..... in fact we were told of a story where the entire bankroll was spent to move the rock, not this rock... they ran out of money, and left the rock where it stood. Eventually, another Emperor paid to move the rock. Anyway, that's the version that I heard.... don't quote me, will have to research the history, and rewrite the correct details.... but that's what I heard today :)
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