Ming Tombs Pins and Buttons

The Ming tombs are a collection of mausoleums built by the Chinese Ming dynasty emperors. The majority of the Ming tombs are located in a cluster near Beijing and collectively known as the Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Dynasty. However, the first Ming emperor's tomb is located near the City of Nanjing. This site is located on the southern slopes of Tianshou Mountain, and was chosen based on the principles of Feng Shui by the third Ming dynasty emperor. After the construction of the Imperial Palace (known today as the Forbidden City) in 1420, the Yongle Emperor selected his burial site and created his own mausoleum. From the Yongle Emperor onwards, 13 Ming dynasty emperors were buried in the same area. At present, only three tom...

This image was taken facing the entrance/exit of the courtyard of the Ming Tombs. A bit of history about these tombs was given in the previous image titled "Welcome To The Ming Tombs". At present, only three tombs are open to the public. The Ming Tombs were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in August 2003. They were listed along with other tombs under the "Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties" designation. All images are Copyright © Hany G. Jadaa; C.Chem. M.Sc. Eng.; and Copyright © Prince John Photography (the Artist). The material contained herein may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or downloaded in any way, shape or form. All rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistrib...

This image shows the main courtyard of the Ming Tombs, taken from a high vantage point and facing the main entrance. A bit of a write-up and history of these tombs have been given in previous images related to the tombs ( if you're interested). Just on a side note, the weather that day was pretty crappy (very foggy and rainy and miserable and bright highlights with no definition in the sky), therefore not conducive to wide angle photography at all. This is the best that can be done when exposing overall scenes like this (and all the other images I posted from the Ming Tombs). But I hope you kinda like this one. All images are Copyright © Hany G. Jadaa; C.Chem. M.Sc. Eng.; and Copyright © Prince John Photography (the Artist). Th...

Born as Zhu Di, the Yongle Emperor was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty in China, reigning from 1402 to 1424. His name was romanized as Yung-lo or Yonglo Emperor. He was originally the Prince of Yan in 1370, with his capital at Beiping (which is now modern Beijing). Yongle sponsored and created many cultural traditions during his reign. He promoted Confucianism and kept traditional ritual ceremonies with a rich cultural theme. He treated Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism equally (though he favored Confucianism). Strict Confucianists considered him hypocritical, but his even handed approach helped him win the support of the people and unify China. His love for Chinese culture sparked a sincere hatred for Mongolian culture. He...

Once you walk through the outer courtyard of the Ming Tombs, this is the main entrance building that leads visitors through to the inner courtyard leading to the burial sites. I have written a bit of info on the Ming Tombs in the previous two images titled "Welcome To The Ming Tombs" and "The Courtyard Of The Ming Tombs". Note that the Ming Tombs are listed under the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. All images are Copyright © Hany G. Jadaa; C.Chem. M.Sc. Eng.; and Copyright © Prince John Photography (the Artist). The material contained herein may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or downloaded in any way, shape or form. All rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these ima...

This is the last image from the site of the Ming Tombs, taken towards the exit gate to the main courtyard. I have included various short descriptions in previous images about this place (if you're interested that is). Hope you've enjoyed my little tour of the Ming Tombs site. All images are Copyright © Hany G. Jadaa; C.Chem. M.Sc. Eng.; and Copyright © Prince John Photography (the Artist). The material contained herein may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or downloaded in any way, shape or form. All rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the Artist is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted under US, Canadian, European,...

This is a view of the souvenir stand (shown earlier in one of my other images) taken from a higher vantage point at the site of the Ming Tombs. Hope you like this one too. All images are Copyright © Hany G. Jadaa; C.Chem. M.Sc. Eng.; and Copyright © Prince John Photography (the Artist). The material contained herein may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or downloaded in any way, shape or form. All rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the Artist is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted under US, Canadian, European, and Australian Copyright laws. Image is available for purchase at higher resolution and no copyright...

This image is also taken in the courtyard grounds of the Ming Tombs; this one showing a small structure where offerings to the emperor were made, even after his death. Of interest is the elaborate and ornate stone work along the main façade of this building and within its roof. Hope you like this one too. All images are Copyright © Hany G. Jadaa; C.Chem. M.Sc. Eng.; and Copyright © Prince John Photography (the Artist). The material contained herein may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or downloaded in any way, shape or form. All rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the Artist is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted...

This is an image of a little souvenir stand situated in the main courtyard of the Ming Tombs. This guy was less than thrilled with me taking a picture of him rather than spending my money at his stand, even though he kept pointing to the little sign next to him indicating that this is also a place where you can get your money exchanged for the local currency - at a premium of course! He became a bit happier a few minutes later after I left him a few Yuans and nodded my head with thanks. Hope you like this image. All images are Copyright © Hany G. Jadaa; C.Chem. M.Sc. Eng.; and Copyright © Prince John Photography (the Artist). The material contained herein may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or download...

This is an image of a marble carving that is found typically between steps leading to any holy and religious site in China. The carving is of a dragon and a phoenix. The Chinese Dragon symbolizes Yang (light, sun, masculine, etc.) and the Chinese Phoenix symbolizes Yin (darkness, night, feminine, etc.) The early Chinese also believed in four magical, spiritual and benevolent animals; the Dragon, the Phoenix, the Tortoise and the Unicorn. The Dragon was the most revered of all. In it's claws it holds an enormous magical pearl, which has the power to multiply whatever it touches. The ancients believed the pearl symbolized the most precious treasure - wisdom. Like the dragon the Phoenix is made up of various elements, typifying the...

Situated in Changping County, China, about 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing center, it is a tomb cluster of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), with 13 emperors buried in a complex spreading some 15 square miles. Covering an area of more than 120 square kilometers, it appears extremely spectacular, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. 明十三陵 "See my books...":http://fr.blurb.com/user/store/jlrollier?utm_source=badgeN&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=125x125_check Nikon D80 Views 10003 ( 17 01 16 ) !http://ih3.redbubble.net/work.5465522.4.lp,375x360,b,s,Q2hhbmcgUGluZyAtIE1haW4gc2FjcmVkIHdheSB0byB0aGUgTWluZyB0b21icy4%3D.jpg!

Beijing Cityscape

This image shows one out of many carved dragon heads on a very long perimeter wall surrounding the main entrance to the Ming Tombs just outside of Beijing. Hope you like this. All images are Copyright © 2015 Hany G. Jadaa; C.Chem. M.Sc. Eng.; and Copyright © 2015 Prince John Photography (the Artist). The material contained herein may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or downloaded in any way, shape or form. All rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the Artist is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted under US, Canadian, European, and Australian Copyright laws. Image is available for purchase at higher resolution a...

This image shows part of a long wall with many carved dragon heads. This is one of the long perimeter walls surrounding the main entrance to the Ming Tombs just outside of Beijing. Hope you like this too. All images are Copyright © 2015 Hany G. Jadaa; C.Chem. M.Sc. Eng.; and Copyright © 2015 Prince John Photography (the Artist). The material contained herein may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted or downloaded in any way, shape or form. All rights are reserved. Copying, altering, displaying or redistribution of any of these images without written permission from the Artist is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted under US, Canadian, European, and Australian Copyright laws. Image is available for ...