Final answer:
The primary purpose of the Forbidden City was to be the residence of the emperor and the center of government, symbolizing the emperor's supreme power and authority over China.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main purpose of the Forbidden City in China was to serve as the home for the emperors and the governmental center. Constructed during the Ming Dynasty, the Forbidden City symbolized the power, wealth, and magnificence of China. It was designed to showcase the emperor's might and importance over others, and not as a public space or warehouse for art.
Within its heavily guarded walls, the Forbidden City contained palaces, temples, and gardens, and access was highly restricted to emphasize the divinity and power of the emperor. The Meridian Gate, being the main entrance, was reserved chiefly for the emperor, underlining his paramount status.