Era Lighter

Posted in cigar & cigarette stuff by admin @ Oct 10, 2008

Era Lighter Era Lighter
Should Xi'an be renamed Xijing to complete the set of four compass points?

If you look at this image, you'll see what I mean:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3550668355_7b208b8529_o.jpg

There's a Northern Capital (Beijing), a Southern Capital (Nanjing), an Eastern Capital (Tokyo/"Dongjing")... but there is no city named "Western Capital" (Xijing) at present. Xi'an would be the most logical candidate to complete the set of four capitals at four compass points.

Furthermore, the name "Xijing" is not without historical basis. During two periods in history - the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Republic of China Era - Xi'an/Chang'an was indeed named "Xijing". Restoring this name will also restore balance and harmony.

(Final note: This question is a bit tongue-in-cheek. In other words, I am partially joking but partially serious too. Don't take me too seriously, but I do want to know what you think in your lighter moments ~_^)

Well, first off your “eastern capital” isn't even in China. Maybe they should pick a country west of China and rename its capital, perhaps change Astana in Kazakhstan?

My guess as to why you have a Beijing and a Nanjing but not a "Xijing" is because Beijing and Nanjing were sort of capitals at the same time, Nanjing simply being considered temporary with the intention to return to Beijing. When the capital was moved from Xi’an to Beijing, there was probably no reason to rename it to represent a capital or “jing.”

If Xi’an were to be renamed to represent its history as a capital you’d then also have to rename Suzhou since it was also a capital city during the Spring and Autumn Period, but then you'd have two southern capitals.

There also is the problem with melons. There’s the western watermelon (Xigua), the southern pumpkin (Nangua), the eastern winter melon (Donggua), but there is no "northern" melon (Beigua)!

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