Every time I take a trip, I find I am drawn to photographing one particular thing over and over. In Beijing, it was the roofs of Forbidden City. I won’t bore you with all 30 photos I took. These three should be enough. To me, the beauty and architecture is a masterpiece.
The animals on the roof are symbols in Chinese myth, used here to protect the emperors and bring good luck to the palace. Most of the imperial palace roofs are yellow, considered an imperial color. The number of animals on the roof shows the seniority of occupants of the building. The greater the number, the higher the positon. Highest possible status imperial roof decoration – man riding bird, nine beasts, immortal figure, and dragon. Yep – I got a picture of that, too.
See more examples of masterpieces here. And be sure to tell us about your own!
Browsing The Atlas 
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Beautiful photos Juliann. I was captivated by the animal figures on the roofops too 🙂
Juliann, thanks for sharing the picture of someplace I’ve never been. I would have taken lots of pictures, too, (and do.)
janet
It’s impossible not to when you see something so beautiful. I would have kicked myself later if I’d been stingy with the picture-taking while I was there.
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It really is a beautiful and captivating place. I was drawn to the curving roofs, and the carved staircases when I visited.
Yes, it was all beautiful. I think the good weather highlighted the colors even more. But I’ve also been there when it was gray and was just as captivated.
Juliann, I haven’t yet been to Beijing, but the architectural detail that you’ve captured here looks incredible. So much vibrant color, with a beautiful blue sky backdrop.
I think the blue sky was a fluke. We had beautiful weather. Usually the smog is so thick that you don’t see clouds.
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I love the idea of focusing on one thing to photograph when on a trip. It must change the way you look at your surroundings once you realize what you are focusing on/searching for: delightful idea!
The photos are great: the curvatures and colors are beautiful.
Thanks, letizia. I didn’t start out with the intent, but then it happened. My mother actually did this first when we went to San Francisco and she started taking pictures of doors. The pictures and the concept were so interesting to me that I started trying to duplicate the idea.
Beautiful details on those roofs – really lovely. I can’t imagine limiting yourself to 30 photos – what restraint!
LOL. I like the way you think. 🙂
Beautiful post! Thanks for the visit at my blog!
Love the idea! When I went to Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, Texas one time, I focused on Lederhosen shots. It was fun, because part of the challenge was sneaking up and taking shots from the knee down when the guys weren’t looking.
That would be fun! Great idea for a subject theme. I love lederhosen.
Hmm…thinking I should post those bad boys in the spirit of Oktoberfest this year. : )
I’d like to see them. 😉
Yep. Definitely going to do the post at the end of September! Fun stuff.
I also love rooftop photos, and the shape/design of these is wonderful.
These are really beautiful photos! I visited the Forbidden City a while ago and my camera worked overtime…its is such a stunning place to explore.
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I love seeing the roof decorations, they are all over China but I’m still drawn to them each time. Great post.
Thanks. I was quite taken by them, too. I have so many pictures of different colors and animal figures. I’m starting to wonder if I ever looked at the ground!
Yeah same, I have photo after photo of roofs in China! Great blog by the way, I’m enjoying reading it.
Why, thank you! I’m off to take a peek at your blog, too. 🙂