The imperial palaces in Beijing are graced with yellow-glazed tiles and vermilion walls because they looked pleasant and reflected the wealth, dignity and authority of the emperors.

The tiles are generally glazed yellow, green, blue and black. Yellow-glazed tiles were for the exclusive use of roofs of palaces, mausoleums, gardens, temples and other imperial structures. Yellow was chosen as the royal colour and a symbol of dignity because in the "five elements" theory (gold, wood, water, fire and earth), yellow earth is in the centre of universe.

The appeal of the yellow-glazed roofs is supplemented with the vermilion (darkish red) colour of the walls. By Chinese tradition red is the colour for festivities, and that is why even today the lanterns and streamers used during holidays and festivals are mostly red in colour. The imperial buildings are decorated with yellow tiles and vermilion walls to imply the emperor's wish for happiness. Many Buddhist temples in China also featured yellow-glazed roofs and vermilion walls with the mandate of the imperial family.