The Forbidden City is divided into an outer and an inner count. We are now standing on the southernmost part of the outer count. In front of us lies the Gate of supreme Harmony. The gate is guarded by a pair of bronze lions, symbolizing imperial power and dignity. The lions were the most exquisite and biggest of its kind. The one on the east playing with a ball is a male, and ball is said to represent state unity. The other one is a female. Underneath one of its fore claws is a cub that is considered to be a symbol of perpetual imperial succession.
The Forbidden City consists of an outer count and an inner enclosure. The outer count yard covers a vast space lying between the Meridian Gate and the Gate of Heavenly Purity. The ¡°three big halls¡± of Supreme Harmony, Complete Harmony and Preserving Harmony constitute the center of this building group. The great three halls are built on a spacious ¡°H¡±-shaped,8-meter-high, triple marble terrace. Each level of the triple terrace is taller than the on below and all are encircled by marble balustrades carved with dragon and phoenix designs.
This area is called the Hall of Supreme Harmony Square, which covers a total of 30000 square meters. Without a single tree or plant growing here, this place inspires visitors to feel its solemnity and grandeur. In the middle of the square there is carriageway that was reserved for the Emperor. On both sides of the road the ground bricks were laid in a special way seven layers lengthwise and eight layers crosswise,making up fifteen layers in all.