Forbidden City紫微垣the Ziwei Star

the Ziwei Star

the North Star

Forbidden City - Wikipedia
Etymology
The common English name "Forbidden City" is a translation of the Chinese name Zijin Cheng (Chinese: 紫禁城; pinyin: Zǐjìnchéng; lit. 'Purple Forbidden City'). The name Zijin Cheng first formally appeared in 1576.[10] Another English name of similar origin is "Forbidden Palace".[11]

The name "Zijin Cheng" is a name with significance on many levels. Zi, or "Purple", refers to the North Star, which in ancient China was called the Ziwei Star, and in traditional Chinese astrology was the heavenly abode of the Celestial Emperor. The surrounding celestial region, the Ziwei Enclosure (Chinese: 紫微垣; pinyin: Zǐwēiyuán), was the realm of the Celestial Emperor and his family. The Forbidden City, as the residence of the terrestrial emperor, was its earthly counterpart. Jin refers to a prohibition or taboo (often used in signs saying "no entry" or "no smoking" or "X is prohibited"). Cheng originally meant a castle, fortress, or fortification, but in modern Chinese, the character means city.

Today, the site is most commonly known in Chinese as Gùgōng (故宫), which means the "Former Palace".[12] The museum which is based in these buildings is known as the "Palace museum" (Chinese: 故宫博物院; pinyin: Gùgōng Bówùyùan).

In Ming and Qing, the Forbidden City was also known as Da Nei (大内) or "Palace City" (宫城)