Design Inspiration from a Grasshopper Cage Zhudi, Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), ordered the chief project commander to build four fine corner towers in four corners of the Forbidden City, each with 9 beams, 18 posts and 72 ridges. The chief project commander gathered all the formans and carpenters together and gave them three months to fulfill the mission. This was really a bitter pill to swallow as nobody had ever seen such complicated yet delicate corner tower. Deep in worry, a carpenter met an old man selling grasshoppers and bought a grasshopper cage for relief. To his surprise, the delicate grasshopper cage with layer upon layer had just 9 beams, 18 posts and 72 ridges. Thereafter the design was brought out. It is said that the old man was the “father of the builders”, Luban. Further Reading:How to visit the Forbidden City
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