Architecture

Temple of Heaven, Circular Mound Altar, Sacrificial Fire Altar

Beijing, China

天坛 (Tiāntán) [Chinese simplified]
天壇 (Tiāntán) [Chinese traditional]
圜丘坛 (Huán qiū tán) [Chinese]
燔柴炉‌ (Fáncháilú‌) [Chinese]
Temple of Heaven, Circular Mound Altar, Sacrificial Fire Altar

Architecture

The Sacrificial Fire Altar was used in the Winter Solstice Heaven Worship Ceremony to burn sacrificial wood in order to welcome the Heavenly Deity. It was constructed with green glazed bricks, symbolising the element wood and the east. The altar has nine tiers of steps corresponding to the ceremonial norm of 'nine' as a yang number.

structure overview
architectural element(s)

Architecture: Circular Mound Altar

built
1530
architectural element(s)
material
patronage

Architecture: Temple of Heaven

built
1406-1420
culture
style/period
work type
patronage

Geography

local language location name
北京 (Běijīng), 中國 (Zhōngguó) [Chinese]
historical affiliations
1530-1644
1644-1912
1912-1949

UNESCO World Heritage Site

type
cultural
criteria
I, II, III
designation
reference
881
type
cultural
criteria
III, IV
designation
reference
1714

Image characteristics

copyrights
Benjamin Hemer (contact@imaginoso.com (send an e-mail))