Illustration of Foreign Kings Presenting Tribute, Part One

original: 蕃王進貢圖一 (Fanwang jingong tu yi). "Fan" refers to non-Chinese peoples or states, often translated as foreign, barbarian, or tributary.

Arrangement Outside the Meridian Gate

original: 午門外陳設 (Wumen wai chenshe). The Meridian Gate is the massive southern entrance to the Forbidden City.

A spatial diagram represents the ceremonial arrangement outside the Meridian Gate for the presentation of tribute by foreign kings. The text labels indicate the positioning of guards and ceremonial animals. At the center is the label for the Meridian Gate. Flanking the approach are symmetrical arrangements of armored guards and exotic animals including leopards, tigers, and elephants.

original: 甲士軍仗 (Jiashi junzhang). This refers to soldiers in full armor and the display of ritual weapons and banners used to signify imperial authority.

The Meridian Gate was the site where the Emperor received tribute, reviewed troops, and issued the annual calendar.

Foreign Kings original: 蕃王 (Fanwang). These were rulers of states within the Chinese tributary system who sent envoys to pay respects to the Emperor., Presenting Tribute original: 進貢 (Jingong). The formal act of a foreign power offering local products to the Chinese court as a sign of vassalage or diplomatic goodwill., Meridian Gate original: 午門 (Wumen)., Armored Soldiers original: 甲士 (Jiashi)., Military Regalia original: 軍仗 (Junzhang)., Elephant original: 象 (Xiang)., Tiger original: 虎 (Hu)., Leopard original: 豹 (Bao).