The 81 golden studs on the grand red gates of Beijing’s Forbidden City are not mere decoration, because they’re relics of a bygone imperial hierarchy. Once touchable symbols of good luck, these ornamental door nails now require strict protection as priceless cultural artifacts.
To the modern traveler, the Forbidden City in Beijing is a major tourist attraction which is a place where a simple ticket grants entry into what was once an exclusive royal domain. But behind its grandeur lies a wealth of overlooked symbolism, especially the golden studs so called mén dīng (door nails), adorning the palace gates.
These protruding golden knobs, arranged in perfect grids, are not just embellishments. Historically, wooden doors in ancient China were reinforced with metal nails, but the exposed ends were both unsightly and dangerous. Craftsmen eventually began covering them with rounded caps, which evolved into ornate door studs made first of wood, later replaced by bronze or brass for durability.
Status by the Numbers
In Qing dynasty China, even the number of studs on a door was regulated by social class. Only the emperor’s palace, the Forbidden City, was allowed 81 studs per door (arranged in 9 rows of 9), a number considered auspicious in Chinese numerology and symbolic of supreme authority. Nobles and government officials had fewer studs, scaled down according to rank.
This visual code reflected the rigid social order of imperial China. Today, it’s a reminder of how deeply hierarchy was woven into daily life, even into architecture.
From Good Luck to Conservation
A popular folklore belief once held that touching the door studs brought good fortune, and in the past, visitors would often reach out to do so. But the sheer number of tourists today has taken a toll.
The studs on the main gates are now recognized as national cultural relics. Repeated touching has led to oxidation, wear, and irreversible damage to the surfaces. In response, preservation authorities have banned physical contact to protect the artifacts for future generations.
More Than a Decoration
To the casual eye, they may appear as just decorative dots. But each stud holds a story of power, precision, and the passage of time. They are a piece of living history—quiet witnesses to the rituals and rules of an empire long gone.
As with all historical narratives, their value lies not just in display, but in our collective commitment to preserve them.