清朝时紫禁城里的消夏良方

 

Summer food and drinks in the royal court were mainly various kinds of melons and fruits, as well as tribute tea from around the country. When the emperors met officials, read books or memorials, they drank green tea, scented¹ tea or milk tea. These drinks are refreshing² and offer respite³ from the summer heat. 

 

Iceboxes made of wood were widely used in the Qing royal court. Due to the weak conductivity of heat, lead or tin was put inside the box to extend the hours for preserving the natural ice. Many historical materials record emperors, empresses and imperial concubines using such a box to keep food like melons and fruits cool on hot summer days.

 

Clothing for Qing Dynasty emperors was complicated and can be categorized according to different purposes, such as ritual clothes, auspicious⁴ clothes, traveling clothes and rain suits. And according to season, there were winter clothes and summer clothes. 

 

Summer costumes for the royals were mainly made of fabrics⁵ like yarn⁶ and silk. The materials are permeable, which keep the wearer cool. 

 

Many features of the architecture in the Forbidden City helped relieve summer heat. The Zhizhai window, or hung and removable window, was a great invention. The upper part can be pulled up for ventilation, while the lower part can be removed to allow more light in. 

 

The royal family could even enjoy an air-conditioned room in ancient times. As the iceboxes often had air holes, it could be used to cool the temperature of the room. 

 

The fan was another necessity for royals on summer days. Fans at the royal court varied⁷ widely. Exquisitely⁸ made, they were more than a tool for cooling people down; they were extraordinary works of art.