600年前的故宫里，古代皇帝们是怎么过年的？
这个春节假期，小伙伴们是不是都乖乖地宅在家里过年啊？
600年前的故宫里，古代皇帝们又是怎么过年的呢？
故宫，又叫紫禁城，是明清两代的皇宫，从1420年建成至1911年清朝统治结束，491年间先后有24位皇帝在此居住并执政。此外，故宫也是世界上规模最大的古代皇宫建筑群。
The Palace Museum was China’s imperial palace from 1420 to 1911. Twenty-four emperors once lived there. People called the Palace Museum the Forbidden City at that time. It is the largest building complex of ancient palaces in the world.
话说如今过春节，我们通常都会遵循一系列传统习俗，而百年前的故宫，古代的皇帝们是如何在宫里庆祝春节的呢？
特殊的服饰与晚宴
Special clothes and dinners
和寻常人家一样，古代皇帝们在这一隆重的场合会穿上特别的服饰，并安排一场特殊的宴会。
Like common people, the ancient emperors would wear special clothes and arrange a special dinner for the big occasion.
农历年三十的除夕夜，皇帝会郑重地穿上一件由金丝彩线织成的明黄色龙袍，上面绣有龙的图案以及12种纹饰。皇帝还会身着皮毛大衣，头戴冠冕，并佩戴朝珠。整套服饰色彩亮丽，象征着吉祥如意与国运昌盛。
On the Chinese New Year's Eve, the 30th day of the 12th month in the Lunar Calendar, the emperor would solemnly wear a bright yellow dragon robe stitched with gold and colored thread, and embroidered with dragon patterns and 12 ornaments. The emperor would also wear a fur coat, a crown on the head and court beads on chest. The whole garment in bright colors symbolizes auspiciousness and a prosperous nation.
和平民百姓一样，清朝年间，宫廷中的第一场晚宴是饺子宴，但仍要遵守一些典礼仪式。
The first dinner in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) royal court was dumplings, just like common families, while there were still ceremonies to obey.
除此之外，家宴也必不可少。皇帝将分别主持与皇后、嫔妃以及王公贵族们用膳。宴会严格遵循礼制，菜肴的数量，餐具的颜色与品质，以及座位的次序都有讲究。尽管被称为家宴，但宴会的形式和礼仪要比菜色口味重要得多。
In addition, family feasts were also indispensable. The emperor would host family feasts with the queen, concubines and princes respectively. The feasts were held strictly in accordance with etiquette, such as the number of dishes, the color and quality of the tableware as well as the order of seats. Though called a family feast, the form and etiquette are more important than appetite.
皇家同样也遵循着除夕守岁的传统，所以宫里也会为皇帝备好夜宵，一般是带有吉祥寓意的新鲜水果及果脯。
The royal court also obeyed the traditional custom of staying up all night on New Year's Eve, so a midnight snack would be prepared for the emperor, which always included fresh and dried fruit displayed in auspicious patterns.
春节期间的娱乐活动
Entertainment during the Spring Festival
皇家会从正月初二到初十之间，挑选一个吉日举办茶会。皇帝会邀请王公大臣们按其命题来作诗，作得好的官员则有赏。
From the second day of the first lunar month to the 10th day, an auspicious day would be chosen to hold a tea party, in which the emperor would invite dukes and ministers to create poetry under his rule and well-performed officials would be rewarded.
古时候没有电视，所以宫廷里的一大消遣就是看戏，所观看的曲目也要生动活泼、吉祥如意。清朝就有多位皇帝，比如：乾隆、道光、同治等曾亲自上阵表演。光绪皇帝甚至还会击鼓。
During the ancient times when there was no television, a major recreation in the royal court was watching Chinese operas, which had to be lively and auspicious. Several emperors in the Qing Dynasty would act in operas themselves, such as the Qianlong Emperor, Daoguang Emperor and Tongzhi Emperor. The Guangxu Emperor could even beat drums.
挂春联、贴门神
Hanging spring couplets and door gods
挂春联、贴门神是春节期间的一大习俗。和老百姓家不同的是，皇宫里的春联都是用墨汁写在白绸上的，然后再装裱起来，挂在宫内的大红柱子上。这么一来，颜色对比更加强烈，春联看起来也更为醒目。
Hanging spring couplets and pasting door gods is a major custom during the Spring Festival. Unlike folk families, the spring couplets in the royal palace were written on white silk using ink, then framed and hung on the bright red pillars of the palaces. Thus the color contrast was enhanced to make the spring couplets more clear.
皇宫里的春联数量众多，大多数都是在颂扬天下太平，国家繁荣昌盛、一国之君的功绩美德或是祈求国泰民安。
The couplets in the royal palaces were quite numerous and were mostly themed on eulogizing peaceful and flourishing eras, the emperor's merits and virtues, or blessings for a prosperous country and contented people.
Hall of Supreme Harmony 太和殿
This is a place for holding big ceremonies.
太和殿的主要用途是举行国家重大典礼。
Hall of Preserving Harmony 保和殿
The palace is for holding big exams.
保和殿是科举考试举行殿试的地方。
Palace of Heavenly Purity 乾清宫
The emperor works here.
乾清宫是皇帝“工作”的地方。
The Imperial Garden 御花园
The emperor takes walks and enjoys flowers here.
御花园是皇帝散步赏花的所在。
Pavilion of Cheerful Melodies 畅音阁
This is the biggest theater in the Palace Museum.
畅音阁是故宫里最大的大戏院。
Hall of Imperial Zenith 皇极殿
Emperor Qianlong lived here after he gave his power to the next emperor.
乾隆皇帝退位后居住在皇极殿。
Archery Pavilion 箭亭
The emperor and his sons and grandsons do kung fu and archery here.
箭亭是古代皇帝及其子孙跑马射箭的地方。
Pavilion of Literary Profundity 文渊阁
This is the biggest “library” in the museum.
文渊阁其实是故宫中的一座藏书楼。
