The Meridian Gate (simplified Chinese: ??; traditional Chinese: ??; pinyin: Wum閚; Manchu: Julergi dulimbai duka) is the southern (and largest) gate of the Forbidden City. It has five arches. The three central arches are close together; the two flanking arches are farther apart from the three central arches. The center arch was formerly reserved for the Emperor alone; the exceptions were the Empress; who could enter it once on the day of her wedding; and the top three scholars of the triennial civil service examinations; who left the exams through the central arch. All other officials and servants had to use the four side arches.

The Forbidden City; built between 1406 and 1420; served for 500 years (until the end of the imperial era in 1911) as the seat of all power in China; the throne of the Son of Heaven and the private residence of all the Ming and Qing dynasty emperors. The complex consists of 980 buildings with 8;707 bays of rooms and covers 720;000 m2 (7;800;000 sq ft).