As mentioned the geographic Lay out of The Confucian Complex has a symbolic significance. The Temple complex has a square form representing "Earth". Only the North Edge of the complex , facing the TiananMen and Forbidden City is a Half Circle. The circle symbolizing "Heaven" (The Sun). Passing through the Temple from the Square into the Half Circle on his way from the South Gate to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (via the Central Line ) hence symbolized the passing of the Emperor from Earth into Heaven. On his way the Emperor would stop off at the various holy altars to perform the necessary rites and prayers and gather divinity necessary to enable him to communicate with "God / Heaven". Rituals depended on the occassion for visit.
The Gate and Avenue leading towards the Qinian Dian and or Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests are known as the Gate and Bridge of Vermillion. The very long Bridge of Vermillion gives 1 of the Best photo-opportunities in the Park. (That is outside Tourist Season)
The Imperial Vault of Heaven has been modelled after the Larger and Older Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest , the most important Temple Vault, as mentioned.
Built around the same time as the "Round Altar" , the Vault of Heaven is surrounded by the "Echo Wall".
Main Entrance to Tiantan Park is located atthe South-side of the Complex. The TianTan Park covers some 270 Hectares, part of which is open as a very-pleasant-to-be-in public recreational space. The Main space however, is covered by the Tiantan Temple of Heaven & Complex , a National Treasure consisting of several Holy Altars & Pavilions, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the days of the Empire,during the Ming- and Ching- Dynasties, the Tiantan Temple Complex was a sacred site where the Emperor would go to perform Confucianist rituals, intermingled with earlier sjamanistic beliefs and rites , meditate and pray to Heaven. "Heaven" according to the oldest of chinese legends the "giver of life". As an Imperial Holy Shrine of the Highest Order , the Temple was completely off-limits to the Public. Now, the still enclosed Temple Complex (as seen in the distance) can be entered and viewed for an admission fee.
Details from the top of the Imperial Vaults doorway. Golden Dragons of course symbolise the Emperor, his Power, his Wisdom and Longevity (of the Dynasty).
This type of classical Ming religious architecture and art can be found on monuments around Beijing City.
Approaching the Tiantan Park. The Tiantan Park , in which the Tiantan Temple Complex are located South of the Forbidden Cityand TiananMen Square in the Chongwen-Tiantan-District.
The Huangqiongyo, or Imperial Vault of Heaven has an intricately construed wooden ceiling to symbolise the Heavens. It's dome standing nearly 20 meters tall (60 Feet) it
dominates the South-side of Tiantan Complex.
In the Snow at the Bridge of Vermillion. This very long marble walkway leads up to the Hall of Prayers for Good Harvests. To the West are the Park, the Hall of Fasting and more to The South the Imperial Musical Administration, the latter not originally present.
Next up is the Wall of the Imperial Vault of Heaven, a Hall enlosed by a massive and impressive wall with Three Heavy Gates. This is not the Main Temple Hall - Tiantan, yet. The Tiantan or more precisely: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Heavenly Temple Complex ( Tiantan Park ) stands more to the North along this central route at the precise center of the Park. Its roof can be seen after one walks around the Imperial Vault enclosure wall.
It is at the Tiantan , or Hall of Prayer where the Symbolic and Spiritual Center of the Chinese Empire was deemed to be Located for they believed the Center of Heaven itself was located exactly above the Altar of the TianTan and its encased Dragon Stone.
However, on different occasions of the Lunar Calendar the Emperor would communicate with the Heavens and their Powers through the adjacent (South) Round Altar of Heaven. The Tablets of the Gods and other Holy Relics needed in the ritual were safely stored inside this huge vault. Hence it is the Imperial Vault of Heaven.
All of the Emperors Ritual Duties were done to ensure the Prosperity and stability of the
Nation. It was
one of most
important of the
Emperor's many
Duties.
After 1889 AD , at the decline of the Qing Dynasty , the important Imperial Hall of Prayers for Good Harvest was restored to its original state at considerable cost.
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, or TianTan as it is usually called , carries very deeply blue shaded Tiles on its roofing , representing the Heavens.
The rounded Altar , below the 38 meter high dome of the Temple was considered the Centre of the Chinese Universe and a sacred Site.
This was literally the place where the Emperor could communicate with the Heavens that gave him his mandate to reign over the Chinese People.
TianTan or Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was originally built in the year 1420 AD, during the Yongle Reign of the Ming Dynasty, after which only the surroundings of the Temple underwent changes.
The Tiantan is a Fine example of Religious Architecture from the Ming Dynasty for which Beijing is Famous. Because of its Religious function, it , just as the Entire City of Beijing , has a specific symbolic Lay Out based on Feng Shui and other principles.
Standing in the center of the so called "Round Altar" (of heaven) one can look around and overview the Beijing Sky-line, now fast changing. A view to the South reveals Tiantan Park South Gate. Beyond are the TongWai suburbian district behind the 2nd ring road and a railway. These are not part of the Ancient City of Beijing. Don't let the overview of the City take you away from discovering the Secret Numbers of the Altar
(Full Information in the Full Tiantan Park Report)! The stairs of the Altar and the slabs of the upper Platform Circle reveal some interesting ones for you to ponder over. Take the 12 times 12 white marble stairs, together making the number 144 also known from Christianity and the Mayan Holy Book.
Entrance to the Wall-Enclosed Imperial Vault of Heaven.
The HianQiuTan or Rounded Altar designed in 1530 AD, is Famous for its Peculiarly Good acoustics.
Among things, the architecture of marble tiling and balustrades will amplify any sound made at the Centre of the Altar.
Twice a Year , a beautifully outfitted and adorned Parade of Eunuchs , Dignitaries and Ministers would leave The Imperial Palace , parade through The Imperial City eastward and head for the more southernly Tiantan , passing the Impressive City Walls via the South-East Gate.
The Emperor would Pray and perform his Confucian (Ming) or Confucian-Buddhist-sjamanistic rituals (Ching) at the TianTan twice a year. First at the Winter Solstice the Emperor would thank the Gods of Sun , Moon, Clouds, Rain, Thunder and Lightning by performing Buddhist Astrological Rites at the Imperial Vault of Heaven
The Emperor would return on the 15 day of the 1st month of the Year (Chinese Lunar !) to Beg the Gods to bless the Harvests in the coming Season at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
The Hall of Prayers is 38 Meters high and was built without using Nails. Not a single One.
4 Red Inner Pillars surround the Altar symbolising the 4 seasons. Outside of these stand 12 pillars to symbolize the months of the Chinese Lunar Year. The Outer Wall of the Temple Hall is constructed of yet 12 more pillars to represent the days 12 hours.
The the Outer Wall is formed out of panneling between these 12 Outer Pillars , 26 panels representing the parts or "Watches" in a Day. The Center-piece of the Temple is the Dragon-and-Phoenix stone, which is the Square Black slab in front of the Altar.
The Large Central Hall can be seen in full Glory a last Time when walking East upon Leaving the Complex. Fine Gardens surround the Entire Temple as the Park extends to the West and East and North Gates. If you leave via the East you will not miss out on the last Tiantan Attraction, this very long and highly decorative wooden walkway ( Chang Lang ).
As you can see .. Its a Big Temple. Not a small Court-Yard.
Still sounds are carried accross.
It was here that the Emperor performed Buddhist rites for the Ceremony of the Winter Solstice. Extensive Tablets on the Imperial Ancestry used in the Buddhist-Sjamanist astrological Ceremony were stored inside the Temple as sacred relics, making this a sacred site in ancient Times. The importance of the building is highlighted by placing it on a Platform of white marble.
Imperial Stone Carved Dragons on Marble Slabs surround the Imperial Vault on its Platform.
Please do not touch or damage when visiting! This is the original artwork dating back 100's of years and irreplacable.
Also twice a year the Emperor would leave the Imperial Palace through the West Gate. From there he would proceed first to ZhaiGong or Palace of Abstinence. In this Palace he would spend a Night of Ceremonial Fasting and Abstinence (quite unusual for an Emperor).
After being spiritually
clensed by this Process the
Emperor would be ready to
enter the TianTan Complex
for his Ceremonial Duties.
The massive Symbolic 4 inner pillars surrounding the Altar of Heaven are cut from a single Tree.
The only trees big enough to replace the old have had to be imported from Oregon in the United States and are Oregon Fir.
In 1889 such large tries had already been lost to China.
Once again sound-tricks are played on the visitor.
When the courtyard is not too crowded, a soft noise made on one side of the courtyard can be easily made out by someone on the other side. The Altar is this Time a circle within a Circle. A "Heaven within Heaven".
Inside Tiantan Park's South Entrance, with a view of the Peculiar Round Altar, a circle symbolizing "Heaven" or the Sun.
Atop the Round Altar, a circle symbolizing "Heaven" or the Sun. The entire altar is "Secretely" encoded with numbers. For instance - there are 9 circles of granite slabs around the Central Echo Stone, of which the inner circle is again made of 9 granite slabs. 9 is the number of the Monkey (King=God) and 9 x 9 makes 81, which is the number of Immortality, as featured in the Chinese Classic Book Journey to The West. The stairs of the altar encodes other esotheric numbers.
View from the Top of the Round Altar to the South. In the snowy distance highrises of the suburban eastern-Fengtai district.
Ceramic roof-tiles of the Imperial Vault rising above the Vault Gate.
Inside the Walls surrounding the Imperial Vault of Heaven.
Front View of the Imperial Vault of Heaven before restau-rations in 2005 .
Traditional Decorations with Imperial Themes above the Central Doorway.
Large Granite Slab with Double Imperial Dragons whirling in Clouds around a Central Pearl or depiction of the Earth. Slabs are similar to those found at The Main Halls of the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City.
On the Bridge of Vermillion, a great spot for an souvenir Photo of Tiantan Park.
A Look through the Gate of Vermillion at Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
Overview of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests on it's 3-high circular white marble Platform inside a circular Courtyard of Heaven.
Chang Lang or long covered wooden walkway running East from Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and walled enclosure.
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Tragically , the original building was destroyed by Fire in the Year 1889 AD during the reign of Emperor GuangXu of the Ching Dynasty, the burning of the Hall a bad omen.
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