Temple of Heaven - Beijing, China

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8 жыл бұрын

The Temple of Heaven is considered the most holy of Beijing's imperial temples. It has been described as "a masterpiece of architecture and landscape design".
The Temple of Heaven has also been listed as World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The Temple of Heaven was built in the Ming Dynasty (AD 1420) by the emperor Zhu Di in the royal garden. Once a year, at winter solstice, the emperors came here to worship Heaven and to solemnly pray for a good harvest.
The design of the Temple of Heaven complex, true to its sacred purpose, reflects the mystical cosmological laws believed to be central to the workings of the universe. Both the overall arrangement and the buildings themselves reflect the relationship between sky and earth, the core of understanding of the Universe at that time.
Hence, complex numerological permutations operate within its design. For example, because the number nine was considered to be the most powerful, the slabs forming the Circular Altar have been laid in multiples of nine.
Similarly, within the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, the interior twenty-eight columns are divided into four central pillars to represent the seasons, twelve inner columns to represent the months, and twelve outer columns to represent the two hour sections that make up a day. There are many such examples of this intense numerology at play. Another interesting fact is that the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest is built completely without nails.
Early morning is the best time to visit The Temple of Heaven. It is well worth waking up for; you will have an interesting experience watching local people doing morning exercises.
Next to an older person practicing the slow and flowing movements of tai chi there might be a youngster performing vigorous karate-like punches and kicks; one group might be learning the ancient martial art of sword fighting, while another would be practicing a traditional dance.
video: Stephen Smith
music: Kevin MacLeod
reporter: Ilona Kauremszky
/ mycompasstv
www.mycompass.ca
mycompasstv ~ travel + arts + lifestyle

Пікірлер: 19

@sterlingstreamliner 8 жыл бұрын

Another terrific video. Wow. Instead of all the usual fast cutting, noise and wall-to-wall narration we get with broadcast TV, here's a window into another part of the world on what is a normal, crisp, sunny day with regular people just doing their own thing. A real treat to watch. I felt as if I was there. The last shot is really something else. Juxtaposing the old with the new. That flat screen TV is so out of place there. Great job!