Feng Shui of the Temple of Heaven, Beijing

FENG SHUI OF THE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN, BEIJING

INTERNATIONAL FENG SHUI MASTER THAM INVESTIGATES THE FENG SHUI OF TEMPLE OF HEAVEN IN FORBIDDEN CITY DURING HIS BUSINESS TRIP TO CHINA.

The Temple of Heaven is one of the most famous landmarks in Beijing. Located in the Forbidden City which is the ancient palace of the Chinese Emperors, the temple is like a precious stone in the palace. The Temple of Heaven is also known as the Altar of Heaven. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in the Temple of Heaven is a magnificent triple-gabled circular building, approximately 36 metres in diameter and 38 metres tall, built on three levels of marble stone base, where the Emperor prayed for good harvests. The building is completely wooden, with no nails. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that attracts more than 3000 visitors everyday.
During the ancient times where China was ruled by Dynasties, the Emperors of China was regarded as the Son of Heaven, who represents and has heavenly authority. In order to pay their respects to the heaven, they made sacrificial ceremonies and prayers to the heaven. The temple was built for these ceremonies, mostly comprising prayers for good harvests.
Twice a year the Emperor and all his retinue would move from the Forbidden city through Beijing to encamp within the complex, wearing special robes and practice vegetarian for the special occasion. They were not allowed to eat meat. Ordinary citizens were not allowed to view this procession or the following ceremony. In the temple complex, the Emperor would personally pray to Heaven for good harvests. The highpoint of the ceremony at the winter solstice was performed by the Emperor on the Earthly Mount. The ceremony had to be perfectly completed as the smallest of mistakes would constitute a bad omen for the whole nation in the coming year. If everything was done correctly, the country will enjoy prosperity and have good agricultural yields. What type of Feng Shui energy in this temple that makes this temple so highly respected by the emperors of China? What are the Feng Shui effects of this unique temple that can contribute to the ancient Chinese? International Feng Shui Master Tham paid this famous temple a visit when he visited Beijing and he will explain to you the unique and complex Feng Shui of this temple. Master Tham said, ‘The temple looks simple but it has a very complicated Feng Shui.’

HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE
According to Master Tham, the temple complex was constructed from in the 15th century during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who built the Imperial Forbidden City Palace in Beijing at the same time. The complex was extended and renamed ‘Temple of Heaven’ during the reign of the Emperor in the 16th century. During the ancient times, the temple was regarded one of the most expensive and grand temples in China. The temple is believed to be a median for humans on Earth to communicate with the heaven. Ancient Chinese philosophers said that the temple’s location is at the centre of the Earth and it is one of the many important medians between Earth and Heaven. The emperors get to receive signs in the form of dreams and meet unexplainable events after praying to the temple. It is said that the Heaven can inform, advice or remind the emperor about something in the form of these signs.

STRUCTURE OF THE TEMPLE ENTRAPS AND RETURNS GOOD CHI FLOW
The interior and exterior of the Temple is built with a square shape at the exterior and a round shape as its interior like this : 回. This shape of 回 is actually a Chinese word which means ‘returning’. Master Tham said that the shape of this ‘returning’ structure is able to receive good Chi flow from outside and above, and entraps the good Chi inside. This is because the direction and geographical condition of the temple is favorable. When the emperor prays for his citizens, the Good Chi Flow can flow outside and reach the citizens. Thus, the ‘回’ shape plays a significant role as it returns the Good Chi flow to the citizens of China.

UNIQUE ECHO FEATURES OF THE TEMPLE AMPLIFIES CHI
Master Tham said, ‘The walls of the temple have a unique feature. The ancient Chinese engineers design and carefully build the walls with two layers so that the walls are thick. The walls are able to produce an echo effect.’ In the temple of heaven, there are three doors. If a bell was rung, you will be able to hear it through the three doors. Those doors and long pathways are built that way so that the echos produced are able to pass through these long pathways.
These echos are able to amplify the good Chi in the temple.

Master Tham also emphasized that the direction and surrounding areas must also be carefully taken into consideration and be determined by the degrees of the Chinese Luopon before its construction.