The Nine Dragon Wall
Located within the Forbidden City is a massive screen wall, measuring 96.5 feet in length and 11.5 feet in height. Constructed in 1773, this wall was made during a massive renovation that created the retirement villa for Emperor Qianlong (1735 – 1796), and served as a privacy barrier blocking the view from the Gate of Imperial Supremacy into the Palace of Tranquil Longevity. It also served as a spiritual barrier; it is said in Chinese mythology that evil spirits can only travel in straight lines, and so many traditional homes include a decorative wall that stands between an entrance and the rest of the home.
Decorating this wall are several fierce dragons. Symbols of power as well as luck and longevity, the dragons added additional protection for the retired emperor. That symbolism extended to the number of dragons as well. The number nine was traditionally associated with the emperor, as the word for “nine” sounds like the word Jiu, which means “long-lasting” and “eternity.”
Using nine dragons also means that one dragon would be in the center, representing the emperor himself. This dragon is the fifth from either direction, an example of the symmetry used in Chinese design to represent the order and peace sought out in Chinese culture.
It is from this Nine Dragon Wall that the first-ever High Relief Silver Kilo Cube takes its inspiration.