Temple of Heaven (Beijing, China) : Inner wall of the complex made of gray brick with green roof tiles
- Creator:
- Ming Chengzu, Emperor of China, 1360-1424
Ming Shizong, Emperor of China, 1507-1566 - Published/Created:
- Southeastern part of central Beijing; Tiantan Rd. and Qinnian St., North Gate, Beijing, Beijing Shi, municipality, China
1406-1420 ; renovated ca. 1750-1790 (restoration) - Physical Description:
- 2.73 km2 (area, grounds)
- Date Depicted:
- 6/5/2009
- Materials:
- stone; marble; wood; paint; ceramic tile; gray brick
- Notes:
- The complex was visited by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. It has been regarded as a Taoist temple, although Chinese Heaven worship, especially by the reigning monarch, pre-dates Taoism. The temple complex was constructed from 1406 to 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor (Zhu Di or Ming Chengzu), who was also responsible for the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The complex was extended and renamed Temple of Heaven during the reign of the Jiajing Emperor (reigned 1521-1567). The complex contains three main temple structures: Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests; the Imperial Vault of Heaven; and the Circular Mound Altar. There is also a small palace complex, the Palace of Fasting (Abstinence). A UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Variant Titles:
- Altar of Heaven
- Topics:
- Architecture -- China -- 15th century -- (YVRC)
- Period/Style:
- Ming dynasty, 1368-1644
Qing dynasty, 1644-1912 - Culture:
- Chinese
- Accession Number:
- 1A2-CH-B-AH-A05
- Genre:
- altars (AAT)
architecture (AAT)
religious buildings: temples (AAT) - Format:
- Image
- Content Type:
- Furnishings & Decorative Arts
Sculptures, Models, & Architecture - Rights:
- Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement. - Access Restrictions:
- Yale Community Only
- Digital:
- architectural elements; religious building fixtures; altars (religious building fixtures); buildings; religious buildings; temples
- Source Creator:
- Gilchrist, Scott
- Source Title:
- Archivision Addition Module Eight
- Source Created:
- 2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.
6/5/2009 12:00:00 AM - Source Note:
- Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2013; photographer Scott Gilchrist
- Yale Collection:
- Visual Resources Collection
- Digital Collection:
- Visual Resources Collection
- Local Record Number:
- 4654
- OID:
- 10899781
- PID:
- digcoll:1833202