The Temple of Heaven (TianTan), Beijing, China (100 photos) part 11

The Historical Role of the Temple of Heaven

在历史上天坛的角色

A bi-annual procession consisting of thousands of eunuchs and ministers, plus the emperor (the Son of Heaven), would make its way from the Forbidden City to the Temple of Heaven. Ordinary citizens were not allowed to watch, or even see, the procession.

通常一年会有两次由上千个太监和大臣们组成的队伍，加上皇帝，会从故宫出发到天坛。通常普通市民是不允许驻足围观，甚至是看这列队伍的。

Among the gods worshiped at the Temple of Heaven originally were the god of earth, the god of water, the god of agriculture (who has his own hall - the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests), the god of the military, the god of religion and the god of civilians.

在天坛的众多之中，最初是土地神、水神、农神（他有他自己的殿堂-祈年殿）、战神、民间之神。

Part of the large southern entry gate to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.

At the Temple of Heaven, the emperor would perform sacrifices and other rituals. First, the emperor would fast in the Hall of Abstinance for several days.

Offering sacrifices was a serious task - the entire empire relied on the emperor for good fortune and abundant harvests so he had quite a responsibility. News of the ceremony was then disseminated throughout China.

在天坛皇帝要完成祭典和其他几个仪式。首先要先在斋宫斋戒三天。

供奉祭品是一件严肃的任务—整个国家的富足安康，丰收有余都靠皇帝来祈求，所以他的责任是重大的。皇帝祭典的消息会传遍全中国。

Floral display outside the west gate of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests.
Each summer a large display is created using thousands of small flower pots.