The Temple of Heaven uses ecological artistic technique to give prominence to the theme of “heaven”. For example, the density of structures is very small, covered by large tracts of pine and cypress trees, creating a strong atmosphere of solemnity and nobility. The inner walls are not in the middle of the area enclosed by the outer walls, but rather they shift toward the east, the vertical axis of the cluster of buildings also shifts eastward for about 200 meters, thus prolonging the distance from the front gate. This helps people feel they are removed farther from man’s world and nearer and nearer to the gods.
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The Circular Mound Altar is crystal white, setting off the holy, pure, empty and bright “heaven”. Its two-layered enclosed walls are only a little more than one meter high before the tall, large round terrace, so as not to block the visual line. During the Ming and Qing dynasties in early winter the emperor would come to this mound to pay homage to heaven and pray for peace and a good harvest. The 400-meter long and 30-meter wide Danbi Bridge, and the courtyard of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, also stand above the surrounding ground, for the same effect. The round Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is 24 meters in diameter, its three-layered eaved pinnacle covered with green glazed tiles. Under this is a six-meter three-layered, white stone round terrace with a total height of 38 meters. The green roof seemed to merge with the blue sky. All these are designed to create a close relationship between man and heaven.
The Temple of Heaven widely uses symbolic and metaphor techniques to play up the theme. For example, in many cases, a round plane is used. The Circular Mound Altar uses the number 9 or the multiplication of 9 to symbolize “heaven”. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests uses numbers related to the solar terms of agriculture.
Heart of Heavenly Stone
The Heart of Heavenly Stone placed in the center of the top tier of the Circular Mound Altar. Around it there are nine circles, each with nine stones, altogether 3,402 pieces. They are of identical size and appearance and put closely together. They have remained intact during the past several hundred years. When people stand on the Heart of Heavenly Stone and shout echoes will be heard.
Echo Wall & Nine-Dragon Cypress
The circular wall surrounding the Imperial Vault of Heaven is 193.2 meters long, 3.7 meters high and 0.9 meter thick. If one speaks against the wall at one end, another can hear his voice at the other end of it. The Nine-Dragon Cypress outside the Echo Wall was planted 500 years ago. Its twining branches look like nine dragons.
（Source: chinaculture.org）
