ALTAR OF WORSHIP TO HEAVEN

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Title	ALTAR OF WORSHIP TO HEAVEN
View	Circular Mound Altar of Heaven: general view, from the south (the altar, the most spiritually important element in the entire complex, was built in 1539 and enlarged in 1749; the three marble terraces symbolize the three layers of heaven)
Notes	government, religious
Work Type	religious complex temple altar
Style/Period	Ming Dynasty
Major Design Aspects	complex of various buildings strong axis symbolic forms and elements
Elements & Spatial Types	gate gateway terrace ramp eaves ornaments
Country	China
City	Beijing
Architectural Material	marble, stone, wood, glazed tile
Structural System	bearing masonry
Dates	15C
Century	15C
Photographer	Scott Gilchrist, Archivision
Date Photographed	7/31/1986
Subject Information	The Altar of Worship to Heaven is a masterpiece of 15C Chinese architecture, built according to the most advanced principles of mechanics and geometry of the time. The complex is composed of three main structures: 1) The Circular Mound Altar of Heaven, 2) The Imperial Vault of Heaven and 3) The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. / 'The Temple of Heaven is located in the southern district of Beijing. It extends over an area of 270 hectares (667 acres), triple the total area of the Forbidden City. Its main buildings date to 1420, when the third Ming emperor, Zhudi (1403 - 1424), ordered the construction of an altar for the worship of heaven and earth. Later, when the Altar of Land was constructed for the worship of the earth, the original altar was reserved for the worship of heaven and prayer for good harvests. The Temple of Heaven is the largest group of temple buildings in China and took 14 years to complete. It is enclosed by a double wall, the northern half of which is circular, representing heaven, and the southern half square, representing earth; the combination of the two shapes indicates the original dual nature of this temple. At the center of the northern end is the main temple hall, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, which has a history of over 500 years. In 1889, it was destroyed by lightning and restored to its original condition the following year. It was here that the emperor prayed in person for good harvests in the first lunar month of every year.' Source: http://userpages.umbc.edu/~syang4/beijing/attractions/Heaven.html
Credit Line	Archivision Inc. (all images copyright Scott Gilchrist / Archivision.com)
Collection Title	Archivision (architecture, urban design, gardens, landscapes and public art)
Collection information	Collection administered by the Visual Resources manager, Architecture Library, (402) 472-1193

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ALTAR OF WORSHIP TO HEAVEN

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