There is a common misconception that the bedrooms of royalty and the nobility must be grand and spacious, given the vast expanse of their palaces and mansions. However, in reality, the sleeping quarters of these elites were often quite modest in size. For instance, within the sprawling 720,000 square meter complex of the Forbidden City, which boasts a total of 9,999 rooms, the emperor’s bedroom measures a mere 10 square meters.
Small Bedrooms Conserve Energy and Promote Wellbeing
According to ancient wisdom, larger rooms require more energy to fill, which can deplete the vitality of those within. Sleeping in a spacious chamber can lead to a loss of energy, resulting in weakness and fatigue. By contrast, a smaller bedroom helps preserve one’s energy and protects against the depletion of positive life force, or yang qi. For an emperor, the consequences of energy loss could range from personal harm to the downfall of an entire nation. Similarly, for commoners and officials, a disproportionately large bedroom could adversely affect their health and the prosperity of their household.
Compact Spaces Facilitate Warmth and Comfort
A comfortable bedroom should be cool in summer and cozy in winter. However, achieving this balance can be challenging in a large room. It is harder to regulate the temperature in a spacious area, and more fuel is required to heat or cool it. Sleeping in an environment that is too hot or too cold can disrupt sleep, leading to restlessness and poor sleep quality.
Smaller Quarters Offer Better Security and Peace of Mind
Emperors and the wealthy were often targets of assassins and thieves. A larger room provides more hiding places for intruders, whereas a smaller space is easier to secure and monitor. Therefore, a compact bedroom offers enhanced safety compared to a more expansive one.
Avoiding the Feeling of Loneliness and Insecurity
Sleeping in a large bedroom can make one feel insignificant, lonely, and insecure. These negative emotions can disrupt sleep, leading to restlessness and anxiety. Imagine being alone in a vast mansion or villa; it is easy to feel frightened and abandoned. As sleep is essential for restoration and relaxation, it is crucial to create an environment that fosters peace and security. A large bedroom that induces feelings of anxiety can be detrimental to one’s wellbeing.
Thus, the ancient wisdom of advising descendants to build modest-sized bedrooms reflects a profound understanding of the connection between space and wellbeing. Today, many homeowners recognize the advantages of constructing moderately sized homes and bedrooms, prioritizing comfort and energy conservation over excessive grandeur.
The Girls Who Rocked the Village: A Tale of Tights and Tradition
Recently, Chinese social media went into a frenzy over images of three young women returning to their hometown in Henan, China, for the Lunar New Year celebrations. However, it wasn’t the heartwarming reunion that caught the attention of netizens and villagers alike; it was their bold fashion choices, particularly their daring decision to wear long fishnet stockings.