Mutual Borderland of the Double Semiotic Sphere: Transformation of the Sign Structure of Gugong and Tiananmen in the Commemorative Culture of Beijing

The subject of this research is the semiotic structure of two key spatial objects in Beijing, considered from a diachronic perspective. The objects of analysis – Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City – are interpreted not as isolated architectural ensembles, but as dynamic sign systems whose evolution reflects profound transformations in Chinese statehood and culture. The focus is on the changing nature of relationships between these toposes: from the imperial hierarchical model of a "single sacred core," where both spaces functioned as complementary elements of imperial ceremonial, to the modern structure of "mutual border." Within this new model, which emerged during the era of the PRC, the museum and the square form a binary opposition, where their functional and symbolic differentiation becomes a condition for continuous meaning exchange. Special attention is paid to their role in representing national identity: how these loci accumulate, process, and transmit collective notions of the past, present, and future of the country. The methodological foundation of the work consists of the semiotic approach developed in the works of Yu.M. Lotman, particularly the theory of the semiosphere and the concept of the boundary as a mechanism of bilingual translation. The research relies on a structural-semiotic analysis of architectural forms, visual representations, and ritual practices, as well as a comparative analysis of historical and contemporary contexts of the functioning of these spaces. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the rejection of viewing Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City Museum as static monuments or isolated tourist destinations. The work proposes for the first time an interpretation of their spatial coexistence as a dynamic semiotic model of "mutual border." This allows for a rethinking of the mechanism of forming the modern political narrative of China. The thesis is put forward and substantiated that Tiananmen functions as a reservoir of civilizational depth and a guardian of the traditional semiosphere. Through the mechanism of "translation," implemented at their common boundary, archaic imperial meanings are converted into concepts that legitimize modern statehood. The conclusions of the research demonstrate that the sustainability of this semiotic model is ensured by the continuous dialogue between the two semiospheres – traditional culture and modern ideology. Their mutual tension and enrichment, materialized in the spatial structure of central Beijing, create a solid foundation for the consolidation of national identity, allowing the past to be organically integrated into the modern political context.