Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Two portals mark the southern entrance to Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. The second and most elaborate one is the Gate of Prayer for Good Harvests and the blue glazed tile roof representing heaven.

We came to the temple of Heaven around the Mid-Autumn festival which is also called the Mood Festival so the courtyard is decorate with lots of colorful chrysanthemum

The Mid-Autumn Festival stretches back 3,000 years. It a Chinese holiday that involves worshipping the moon as a symbol of rejuvenation and a good harvest. Today, the holiday is all about family togetherness.

From the courtyard you can see the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the background.

Beautiful chrysanthemum arrangements in the courtyard. The chrysanthemum carries the symbolic meaning of devoted love, loyalty, happiness, longevity, and joy.

Bronze burner for animal sacrifices There are three important sacrificial ceremonies held in the Temple of Heaven every year: at the beginning of the lunar year, on the summer solstice (June 21st) and on the winter solstice (December 21st).

The chrysanthemum flowers are native to Asia and northeastern Europe and have held significant cultural importance, especially in China and Japan, where they symbolize autumn, longevity, and rejuvenation.

The word “chrysanthemum” comes from the Greek words “chrysos,” meaning gold, and “anthemon,” meaning flower. The term was likely used to describe the original golden-colored flowers of the chrysanthemum species. Over time, chrysanthemums have been bred in various colors, but the name has remained.

Beautiful flowers.

Mums have long been cultivated in China as early as the 15th century B.C. The original flowers that grow wild feature golden-colored blossoms, but by 1630, more than 500 types had been identified and recorded.

They come in so many colors and shapes.

This 1,181 ft. promenade called Danbiqiao slopes towards the north, signifying the long path from earth toward heaven.

This gate is called the Northern Terminus Vermillion Steps Bridge

We are now reaching the Gate leading to the Imperial Vault.

View of the Imperial Vault of Heaven from the gate.

The wall that you see surrounding the Imperial Vault of Heaven is the Echo Wall. By standing at one end of the wall and whispering, someone on the other side would hear you.

Echo Wall is the circular surrounding wall and because of its smooth surface, sound can travel large distances along the wall.

Kevin and Hoa tested it out and it works! Hoa was speaking against the wall at one end and Kevin was standing toward the end of the wall and could hear Hoa's voice saying Hello to him.

The Nin-Dragon Cypress was planted 500 years ago and still stands outside the Echo Wall. Its twinning branches look like nine dragons.

We are heading inside the Vault of Heaven

Chengzhen the southern entrance gate to the Imperial Vault of Heaven

Entering the Chengzhen gate with a view of the Imperial Vault.

The Imperial Vault was used as storage for the tablets of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, which would regularly be transported to the Alter of Heaven. Prayers would be made to the spirits of the sun, moon, stars, clouds, rain, wind and even thunder.

The Imperial Vault of Heaven is a round pavilion with a double-eave roof sitting on a two-meter-tall white marble platform. If you look at it from far away, you will find that the vault is like a blue umbrella with gold head.

The Imperial Vault of Heaven stands as a remarkable testament to the architectural brilliance of ancient China and the cultural significance it held for the emperors and the people. Its intricate design and symbolic importance make it an integral part of the Temple of Heaven complex, captivating visitors from around the world.

The Imperial Vault of Heaven holds profound cultural and religious symbolism. It was believed to be the place where the emperors communicated with the gods and prayed for a bountiful harvest. The circular shape represents heaven, while the square base of the vault symbolizes earth. The layout of the Temple of Heaven complex, with the Circular Mound Altar to the south and the Imperial Vault of Heaven to the north, reflects the ancient Chinese concept of a round heaven and a square earth.

We are now leaving the area.

Next...Circular Mound Altar