The Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) is a beautiful complex of religious buildings in southern Beijing. Built in 1420 by the same Emperor who built the Forbidden City, it was the most important place for imperial worship for nearly 500 years.

The Son of Heaven

In ancient China, the Emperor was known as the "Son of Heaven." People believed he had a divine right to rule, but he also had a very important job: he had to keep the gods happy so the country would have peace and plenty of food.

Three Main Landmarks

The temple grounds are massive—even larger than the Forbidden City! Tutors should note these three main structures:

1. The Circular Mound Altar: An open-air platform made of white marble. This is where the Emperor offered sacrifices to Heaven during the Winter Solstice.
2. The Imperial Vault of Heaven: A smaller circular building used to store the sacred altars when ceremonies were not taking place.
3. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests: The most famous building in the park. It is a tall, circular wooden hall with three blue-tiled roofs. The Emperor came here in the spring to pray for a successful farming season.

Symbolism: Squares and Circles

The design of the park is based on ancient Chinese cosmology:

The northern part of the park is rounded (circle) and the southern part is flat (square), showing the meeting point of Heaven and Earth.

The Imperial Ceremony

Every year, the Emperor and his massive team of officials would move from the Forbidden City to the Temple of Heaven. He would fast (not eat meat) and wear special robes. It was believed that even a tiny mistake in the ceremony could cause a disaster, like a drought or famine, for the whole country.

Note: This educational guide is adapted from historical records and Wikipedia content licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.