The Temple of Heaven is an ancient complex of religious buildings situated in the southeastern part of central Beijing. The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. It has been regarded as a Taoist temple, although Chinese Heaven worship, especially by the reigning monarch of the day, pre-dates Taoism.
History of the Temple of Heaven
The temple complex was constructed between 1406 and 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor in the 16th century. The Jiajing Emperor also built three other prominent temples in Beijing, the Temple of Sun in the east, the Temple of Earth in the north, and the Temple of Moon in the west.
Architecture of the Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is surrounded by a wall with a total area of 273 hectares. The complex is divided into two parts: the outer part and the inner part. The outer part includes the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Circular Mound Altar, and the Imperial Vault of Heaven. The inner part includes the Hall of Abstinence and the Palace of Abstinence.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is a three-tiered wooden structure built on a single-level white marble terrace. It is the most prominent structure in the Temple of Heaven complex and the largest sacrificial building in China. It is 38 meters high and the eaves of the roof are decorated with blue, yellow, and green glazed tiles. The building is completely symmetrical, with four inner pillars and four outer pillars, representing the four seasons. At the center of the building is a circular altar.
The Circular Mound Altar
The Circular Mound Altar is located south of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. It is a round terrace, which is 30 meters in diameter and 5 meters in height. It is surrounded by a 3 meter wide wall. The altar was used for the emperor to pray for good harvests and offer sacrifices to Heaven. It is the most important part of the Temple of Heaven complex.
The Imperial Vault of Heaven
The Imperial Vault of Heaven is a small building located in the northern part of the Temple of Heaven complex. It was used to store memorial tablets of the deceased emperors. The building is octagonal in shape, with a single-eaved roof. It is surrounded by a wall and is connected to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests by a raised walkway.
Symbolism of the Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven was built according to the principles of Feng Shui, which is based on the belief that the structure of a building should be in harmony with the forces of nature. The entire complex is built in a square shape, with the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the center, surrounded by the Circular Mound Altar and the Imperial Vault of Heaven. This arrangement is meant to symbolize the relationship between Heaven and Earth.
The blue color of the glazed tiles on the roof of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests symbolizes Heaven, while the white marble terrace symbolizes Earth. The number of stairs and pillars of the building are also of symbolic significance. The number of stairs leading up to the building is equal to the number of years in a cycle of the Chinese calendar, while the number of pillars is equal to the number of months in a year.
Cultural Significance of the Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven is an important symbol of Chinese culture and a popular tourist destination. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular place for locals and visitors alike to enjoy traditional Chinese activities such as kite flying, Tai Chi, and ballroom dancing. The Temple of Heaven is a symbol of the ancient Chinese belief that the heavens and the earth are connected and that humans should strive to maintain a harmonious relationship with nature.