北京中轴线是延续至今的国家礼仪传统的特殊见证

A Unique Testament to Enduring National Ceremonial Traditions

秋平

Qiu Ping

  自古以来，礼仪祭祀活动在中国社会生活中就占有至关重要的地位。北京中轴线凸显了中国传统都城规划和建设对于礼仪秩序的强调，并与百姓日常生活所需的多元功能空间串联，展现出北京老城丰富而多样的文化传统。北京中轴线上的宫苑建筑与其两侧的祭祀建筑均围绕着礼仪制度进行规划和建设。

  Throughout China's long history, ritual and ceremonial activities have held a crucial place in the fabric of social life. Beijing Central Axis exemplifies the emphasis placed on ceremonial order in traditional Chinese capital planning and construction. The Central Axis connects state ceremonial and ritual spaces with the various urban facilities needed by ordinary people in their daily lives, demonstrating the rich and diverse cultural traditions of Beijing's old city. The imperial palaces and gardens along Beijing Central Axis, as well as the sacrificial structures flanking both sides, were meticulously planned and constructed in accordance with the etiquette system.

  故宫既是明清皇帝起居朝会之所，又是举行皇帝登基等最高级别礼仪的场所，还是皇家宫外祭祀活动的起点，由此形成了以居中道路联系起的由宫城、御苑和祭祀建筑共同构成的礼仪空间。

  The Forbidden City served not only as the residence and court of Ming and Qing emperors but also the venue for the highest level of rituals, such as the enthronement of the emperor, as well as the starting point for ritual activities outside the imperial palaces, creating a ritual space along the Central Axis that was connected by central thoroughfares and consisted of the imperial palaces, gardens, and sacrificial buildings.

  明清时期，祭祀活动需应和一年四时或重大国家事件，祭祀仪式的行进路线、典礼的方位朝向、流程的发生时间、参与仪式的人员等均有严格规定。重要祭礼一般由皇帝亲自参加，以太和殿为出发点，向南出午门，沿北京中轴线上的居中道路行进。中华人民共和国成立后，天安门广场及建筑群作为举行国家礼仪活动的公共空间，延续了中轴线历史上所承载的国家礼仪传统。

  In the Ming and Qing dynasties, ritual activities were closely tied to the four seasons and major state events. Ceremonies were governed by rigorous protocols that dictated every aspect, from procession routes to the orientation of ceremonies, the timing of procedural steps, and the roles of participants. The emperor typically presided over major ceremonial rites in person. Rituals commenced at the Hall of Supreme Harmony and proceeded southward through the Meridian Gate and along the central roads. After the PRC's founding, the Tiananmen Square Complex was turned into a public venue for national ceremonies, thus carrying forward the traditional role of the Central Axis in state ceremonial occasions.

  北京中轴线亦承担了与百姓生活息息相关的城市管理功能。钟鼓楼在明清两代以击鼓与敲钟的方式为城市报时，管理着传统社会生活的日常运转秩序。天安门、正阳门和永定门作为明清北京皇城、内城与外城的正门，是城市管理体系中的重要节点，以钟鼓声为号令按时启闭城门，规范居民的起居行止。

  Beijing Central Axis also featured urban management functions closely related to the daily lives of city residents. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Bell and Drum Towers governed the daily rhythms of urban life by marking time through the striking of the bell and drums. During these periods, Tiananmen Gate, Zhengyangmen Gate, and Yongdingmen Gate served as the main gates to the imperial, inner, and outer cities, respectively. These gates were vital nodes in the urban management system, opening and closing at prescribed times signaled by the sound of the bell and drums, thus regulating the daily routines and movements of residents.

  随着时代变迁，北京中轴线之上的钟鼓楼与城门建筑，已面向公众开放，登临其上可以眺望北京中轴线严整有序的城市景观与城市天际线。

  Over time, the Bell and Drum Towers and the city gates along the Axis were gradually opened to the public, offering visitors vantage points to survey the meticulously ordered cityscape and skyline of the Central Axis.

  北京中轴线经过7个多世纪的积淀和完善，既吸收前代都城规划设计理念和实践成果，延续古老的以中轴线为都城规划设计基准线的历史传统，又根据北京的自然地理环境和人文社会环境的变化而增加新的内容、赋予新的内涵，彰显了中华文明突出的连续性和创新性。

  Beijing Central Axis is the result of more than seven centuries of accumulation and refinement. It has absorbed the planning concepts and practical achievements of previous dynasties and carried forward the ancient tradition of regarding the central axis as the foundational line for city planning and design. At the same time, it has also integrated new elements and acquired new connotations in response to changes in Beijing's natural geography and socio-cultural environment. This evolution highlights both the remarkable continuity and creativity of Chinese civilization.

  北京中轴线历经元、明、清3个由不同民族建立的王朝并得以不断传承和发展，见证了儒、释、道以及各种与农业相关的自然神信仰的并存，贯穿了和平、和睦、和谐的价值追求，是中华文明突出的统一性、包容性、和平性的集中体现。

  The Axis was preserved and developed over the course of three dynasties—the Yuan, Ming, and Qing—each established by a different ethnic group. It is a testament to the coexistence of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and various deist beliefs relating to agriculture, while also embodying the pursuit of peace, amity, and harmony. As such, it serves as a concentrated manifestation of Chinese civilization's remarkable unity, inclusiveness, and peaceful nature.

  北京中轴线申遗成功向世人展示了全面真实的古代中国和现代中国，让中华民族现代文明建设成果和中华优秀传统文化的强大生命力得到了世界广泛认可，成为加强社会主义精神文明建设的深厚滋养，增强了以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业的精神力量。

  The inscription of Beijing Central Axis on the World Heritage List will help showcase both ancient and modern China to the world in a comprehensive and genuine way. It will help garner recognition around the world for China's progress in building a modern civilization and for the tremendous vitality of its fine traditional culture. It will also provide a boost to socialist cultural-ethical advancement in China as well as powerful inspiration for the drive to build a great country and advance national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

  中文编辑：郝遥

  英文责编：张娴

  英文审校：衣小伟 李晓琼

  监制：李达 李振通