View source for Temple of Heaven

{{short description|Imperial complex of religious buildings in Beijing, China}}
{{redirect|Tian Tan|the Big Buddha statue in Hong Kong|Tian Tan Buddha}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Temple of Heaven
| image = {{multiple image
| border            = infobox
| total_width       = 270
| image_style       = border:1;
| perrow            = 1/2/2
| image1            = Temple of Heaven 20160323 01.jpg
| caption1          = Temple of Heaven
| image2            = Temple of Heaven (54391918515).jpg
| caption2          = [[Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests]]
| image3            = Temple of Heaven (54391778383).jpg
| caption3          = [[Imperial Vault of Heaven]]
| image4            = Temple of Heaven (54390667597).jpg
| caption4          = [[Circular Mound Altar]]
| image5            = Temple of Heaven (54390671692).jpg
| caption5          = Chengzhen Gate
}}
| image_size = 300
| caption = Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the largest building in the Temple of Heaven
| locmapin = Beijing#China
| coordinates = {{coord|39.8822|N|116.4066|E|region:CN-11_type:landmark|display=title,inline|name=Temple of Heaven}}
| location = [[Dongcheng District, Beijing|Dongcheng]], Beijing, China
| area = {{convert|2.73|km2|abbr=on}}
| architect = 
| architecture = 
| governing_body = 
| owner = 
| designation1 = WHS
| designation1_offname = Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing
| designation1_date = [[List of World Heritage Sites by year of inscription#1998 (22nd session)|1998]] <small>(22nd [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
| designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/881 881]
| designation1_criteria = i, ii, iii
| designation1_type = Cultural
| designation1_free1name = Region
| designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Asia|Asia-Pacific]]
| built = 1406–1420 ([[Ming dynasty]])
| website = {{url|http://www.tiantanpark.com|tiantanpark.com}}
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Tiantan (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = "Temple of Heaven" in Simplified (top) and Traditional (bottom) Chinese characters
| picupright = 0.425
| t = 天壇
| s = 天坛
| l = "Altar of Heaven"
| p = Tiāntán
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|t|ian|1|t|an|2}}
| j = Tin1-taan4
| y = Tīn-tàahn
| tl = Thinn-tuânn
| order = st
}}

The '''Temple of Heaven''' ({{zh|t=天壇|s=天坛|first=|p=Tiāntán}}) is a complex of imperial [[Religious Confucianism|religious Confucian]] buildings situated in the southeastern part of central [[Beijing]]. The complex was visited by the [[Emperor of China|Emperors]] of the [[Ming dynasty|Ming]] and then later restored by the [[Qing dynasty|Qing]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_World_Atlas_of_Architecture/aVx_QgAACAAJ?hl=en |title=The World Atlas of Architecture |date=1984 |publisher=G.K. Hall |isbn=978-0-8161-8716-4 |pages=29 |language=en}}</ref> dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to [[Tian|Heaven]] for a good harvest and other seasonal rites. The Temple of Heaven was inscribed as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site|World Heritage site]] in 1998 and was described as "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design which simply and graphically illustrates a cosmogony of great importance for the evolution of one of the world's great civilizations..." as the "symbolic layout and design of the Temple of Heaven had a profound influence on architecture and planning in the Far East over many centuries."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/881 |title=Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing - UNESCO World Heritage Centre |website=Whc.unesco.org |date=1998-12-02 |access-date=2016-10-31 |archive-date=2008-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080801071531/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/881 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
The temple complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the [[Yongle Emperor]] of [[Ming Dynasty]], who was also responsible for the construction of the [[Forbidden City]] in Beijing. It is currently located in Dongcheng Beijing, China. The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of the [[Jiajing Emperor]] in the 16th century. Jiajing also built three other prominent temples in Beijing, the [[Temple of the Sun (Beijing)|Temple of the Sun]] (日壇) in the east, the [[Temple of Earth]] (地壇) in the north, and the [[Temple of the Moon (China)|Temple of Moon]] (月壇) in the west. The Temple of Heaven was renovated in the 18th century under the [[Qianlong Emperor]]. By then, the state budget was insufficient, so this was the last large-scale renovation of the temple complex in imperial times. {{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

The temple was occupied by the Anglo-French alliance during the [[Second Opium War]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Stamper |first=Peta |date=June 15, 2021 |title=Temple of Heaven |url=https://www.historyhit.com/locations/temple-of-heaven/ |access-date=March 24, 2024 |website=HistoryHit |publisher=HistoryHit |archive-date=March 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324151126/https://www.historyhit.com/locations/temple-of-heaven/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1900, during the [[Boxer Rebellion]], the [[Eight-Nation Alliance]] occupied the temple complex and turned it into the force's temporary command in [[Beijing|Peking]], which lasted for one year.<ref name=":0" /> With the downfall of the Qing, the temple complex was left un-managed. The neglect of the temple complex led to the collapse of several halls in the following years.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

In 1914, [[Yuan Shikai]], then President of the Republic of China, performed a Ming prayer ceremony at the temple, as part of an effort to have himself declared [[Emperor of China]]. In 1918 the temple was turned into a park and for the first time open to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kiprop |first=Joseph |date=February 23, 2018 |title=Temple Of Heaven - UNESCO World Heritage Sites In China |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/temple-of-heaven-unesco-world-heritage-sites-in-china.html |access-date=March 23, 2024 |website=World Atlas |publisher=World Atlas |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323172304/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/temple-of-heaven-unesco-world-heritage-sites-in-china.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Buildings and layout==
{{gallery|align=centre
|File:Peking (Beijing) Nebeski hram ~ 1898..jpg
 |Temple of Heaven on an 1898 postcard
|File:Temple of Heaven - Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests 03.jpg
 |Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
|File:Temple of Heaven - Imperial Vault of Heaven 02.jpg
 |Imperial Vault of Heaven }}
The temple's architectural components such as the number of its columns, its circular form, and number of terraces are said to symbolize the structure of the cosmos.<ref name=":1" /> The Temple grounds cover {{convert|2.73|km2|abbr=on}} of parkland and comprises three main groups of constructions, all built according to strict philosophical requirements:

* The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿) is a magnificent triple-gabled circular building, {{convert|36|m|abbr=on}} in diameter and {{convert|38|m|abbr=on}} tall,<ref name="timeoutBBeijing.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.timeoutbeijing.com/features/Visiting_Beijing-Beijing_tours/149745/A-beginners-guide-to-the-Temple-of-Heaven.html |title=A beginner's guide to the Temple of Heaven - Visiting Beijing - Time Out Beijing |access-date=2020-03-28 |archive-date=2020-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328201851/http://www.timeoutbeijing.com/features/Visiting_Beijing-Beijing_tours/149745/A-beginners-guide-to-the-Temple-of-Heaven.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> built on three levels of [[marble]] stone base, where the Emperor prayed for good harvests. The building is completely wooden, with no nails. The original building was burned down by a fire caused by lightning in 1889.<ref name="lonelyplanet1">{{cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/beijing/sights/parks-gardens/temple-heaven-park |title=Temple of Heaven Park in Běijīng, China |publisher=Lonely Planet |access-date=2016-10-31 |archive-date=2016-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417070655/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/beijing/sights/parks-gardens/temple-heaven-park |url-status=live }}</ref> The current building was re-built several years after the incident.
* The Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇) is a single-gabled circular building, built on a single level of marble stone base. It is located south of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and resembles it, but is smaller.<ref name="timeoutBBeijing.com" /> It is surrounded by a smooth circular wall, the Echo Wall, that can transmit sounds over large distances. The Imperial Vault is connected to the Hall of Prayer by the Vermilion Steps Bridge, a {{convert|360|m||adj=mid|-long|sp=us}} raised walkway that slowly ascends from the Vault to the Hall of Prayer. The dome for this building also has no crossbeams to support the dome.<ref>Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Temple-of-Heaven {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117233521/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Temple-of-Heaven |date=2020-11-17 }}</ref>
* The [[Circular Mound Altar]] (圜丘坛) is the altar proper, located south of the Imperial Vault of Heaven. It is an empty circular platform on three levels of marble stones, each decorated by lavishly carved dragons. The numbers of various elements of the Altar, including its balusters and steps, are either the sacred number nine or its nonuples. The center of the altar is a round slate called the Heart of Heaven (天心石) or the Supreme Yang (太阳石), where the Emperor prayed for favorable weather. Thanks to the design of the altar, the sound of the prayer will be reflected by the guardrail, creating significant resonance, which was supposed to help the prayer communicate with Heaven. The Altar was built in 1530 by the [[Jiajing Emperor]] and rebuilt in 1740.<ref name="lonelyplanet1"/>

==Ceremony==
In ancient [[China]], the [[Emperor of China]] was regarded as the ''[[Son of Heaven]]'', who administered earthly matters on behalf of, and representing, heavenly authority. To be seen to be showing respect to the source of his authority, in the form of [[sacrifice]]s to heaven, was extremely important. The temple was built for these ceremonies, mostly comprising prayers for good harvests.

Twice a year the Emperor and all his retinue would move from the Forbidden City through Beijing to encamp within the complex, wearing special [[robe]]s and abstaining from eating [[meat]]. No ordinary Chinese was allowed to view this procession or the following ceremony. In the temple complex the Emperor would personally pray to Heaven for good harvests. The highpoint of the ceremony at the [[Dongzhi (solar term)|winter solstice]] was performed by the Emperor on the Earthly Mount. The ceremony had to be perfectly completed; it was widely held that the smallest of mistakes would constitute a bad omen for the whole nation in the coming year.

==Symbolism==
[[File:Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests interior 2014.jpg|thumb|left|x300px|Inside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.|alt=A richly decorated interior in red, blue, green and gold with many intricate designs, rising to a ceiling above the upper bound of the image]]
Earth was represented by a square and Heaven by a circle; several features of the temple complex symbolize the connection of Heaven and Earth, of circle and square. The whole temple complex is surrounded by two cordons of walls; the outer wall has a taller, semi-circular northern end, representing Heaven, and a shorter, rectangular southern end, representing the Earth. Both the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar are round, each standing on a square yard, again representing Heaven and Earth. 
The number [[9 (number)|nine]] represents the Emperor and is evident in the design of the Circular Mound Altar: a single round marmor plate is surrounded by a ring of nine plates, then a ring of 18 plates, and so on for a total of nine surrounding rings, the outermost having 9×9 plates.

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests has four inner, twelve middle and twelve outer [[column|pillar]]s, representing the four [[season]]s, twelve months and twelve traditional Chinese hours respectively. Combined, the twelve middle and twelve outer pillars represent the traditional solar terms. 
All the buildings within the Temple have special dark blue roof tiles, representing the Heaven.

The Seven-Star Stone Group, east of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, represents the seven peaks of [[Mount Tai|Taishan Mountain]], a place of Heaven worship in classical China.

There are four main supportive, dragon pillars each representing a season. The structure, held up by these dragons, imitates the style of an ancient Chinese royal palace. Twelve inner pillars symbolize the lunar months, and it is thought that the twelve outer pillars refer to the 12 two-hour periods of the day.

==Park==
The surrounding park is quite extensive, with the entire complex totaling {{convert|267|ha|acre|abbr=off}}. Some of it consists of playgrounds, exercise and game areas. These facilities are well used by adults, as well as by parents and grandparents bringing children to play. Some of the open spaces and side buildings are often used, particularly in the morning, for choral shows, ethnic dances, and other presentations.

==Access==
The Temple of Heaven is located in southern [[Dongcheng District, Beijing|Dongcheng District]], which until 2010 was part of [[Chongwen District]]. The park itself is open daily from 6:00am–10:00 pm. The relic sites inside the park open at 8:00 and close at 17:30 from April 1 to October 31, and close at 17:00 from November 1 to March 31.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://en.tiantanpark.com/ShowContent2.aspx?Sortid=7 |title=Tiantan Park |website=En.tiantanpark.com |access-date=2016-10-31 |archive-date=2018-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210151806/http://en.tiantanpark.com/ShowContent2.aspx?Sortid=7 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  There is a nominal entry charge which varies according to whether it is peak season or off season.<ref name="timeoutBBeijing.com" /> Tickets stop selling one hour and a half before gate closing.

All four of the park's gates are accessible by public transportation.
*'''East Gate''' on Tiantan East Road and Tiyuguan Road: [[Beijing Subway]] [[Line 5, Beijing Subway|Line 5]] [[Tiantandongmen Station]];<ref name="timeoutBBeijing.com" /> [[Beijing Bus]] routes 25, 36, 39, 208, 525, 610, 685, 686, 723, 827, 829, 957, 958
*'''West Gate''' on Tianqiao South Street and Nanwei Road: [[Beijing Subway]] [[Line 8 (Beijing Subway)|Line 8]] [[Tian Qiao station]]; [[Beijing Bus]] route 2, 15, 17, 20, 35, 36, 69, 71, 120, 203, 504, 707, 729, 特11 and [[Beijing Bus#Bus Rapid Transit|BRT1]]
*'''North Gate''' on Tiantan Road and Qinian Street: [[Beijing Bus]] routes 6, 34, 35, 36, 106, 110, 687, 707
*'''South Gate''' on Yongdingmen East Street and Jintai Road: [[Beijing Bus]] routes 36, 53, 120, 122, 208, 525, 610, 958, 特3, 特11, 特12, 运通102

==Panoramas==
{{wide image|Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China - 010 edit.jpg|925px|Panorama with the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the center, viewed from the south}}
{{wide image|Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China - 006.jpg|925px|Panorama from the opposite view of the Imperial Vault of Heaven}}
{{wide image|Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China - 012.jpg|925px|Panorama of the three main halls}}

== See also ==
* [[Nine Altars and Eight Temples]]
* [[Tian]] (Heaven) / [[Shangdi]] (God)
* [[Heaven worship]]
* [[All Under Heaven]]
* [[Son of Heaven]]
* [[Esplanade of Sacrifice to the Heaven and Earth]] (Hue, Vietnam) 
* [[Wongudan]] ([[Seoul]], [[Korea]])

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Sources===

* [http://www.cctv.com/lm/176/71/88864.html Temple of Heaven], [[China Central Television|CCTV]] documentary
* ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]'': [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Temple-of-Heaven Temple of Heaven]

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*[http://www.tiantanpark.com Official website of the Temple of Heaven Park] {{in lang|zh}}
*[http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-04/30/content_580846.htm Chinadaily news]
*[http://espanol.cri.cn/861/2015/03/21/1s344169.htm "Temple of Heaven: meeting the Paradadise (El Templo del Cielo: un encuentro con el Paraíso)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509140539/http://espanol.cri.cn/861/2015/03/21/1s344169.htm |date=2021-05-09 }}, Mauricio Percara (2015)

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[[Category:Buddhist temples in Beijing]]
[[Category:Confucian temples in China]]
[[Category:Taoist temples in Beijing]]
[[Category:Dongcheng District, Beijing]]
[[Category:Parks in Beijing]]
[[Category:Ming dynasty architecture]]
[[Category:AAAAA-rated tourist attractions]]
[[Category:Major National Historical and Cultural Sites in Beijing]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in China]]
[[Category:15th-century Buddhist temples in China]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1420]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in the 1420s]]
[[Category:1420 establishments in Asia]]
[[Category:15th-century Confucian temples]]
[[Category:Relationship between Heaven and Mankind]]
{{Religious Confucianism}}