The Temple of Heaven is where the Emperor and his court went to worship the God of Heaven and pray for good harvests for his subjects. It was quite a complicated ceremony where both heaven and earth were entwined during worship. The service required many sacrifices that were burned on the ceremonial alters. Remnants of the animal sacrifices were also carefully disposed of in the many artful lacy containers and the green ceramic ovens.
The central worship area is carefully designed using 3, 6, and 9 features as its basis (for example, consecutive levels and rings of those number combinations). Each level of the worship area held assigned court personnel during the ceremony. You will note inside shots that show the Emperor's throne and the stands that hold the containers and various sacrifices.
Even the surrounding area was carefully designed for the Emperor's prayer service, as you may see in the pictures. The gates were all assigned to specific personnel to use upon entering. Even the "perfect cow" had a special entry gate. The tall red lanterns were lighted when the Emperor was present. The lights indicated to his subjects that he was there to pray for them and their harvests.
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