Reach the Temple Hall of the Earth God either via the double white marble Linxing Gates ( 棂星门) from the North and the direction of the Altar of the Earth (Fangze Tan) or head there directly using the small pedestrian walkway following along through the Greenery outside the outer Wall encircling the Altar Platform.
Such Yellow tiling's were exclusively reserved for the Emperor (and various other items as well). Not even the brothers of the Emperor or the Imperial Family members were allowed their use.
Pass through the Marble Gates to find a small pathway and yet another even larger Gate. The Temple Hall of the Earth (Fangze Ting) is the main and most important adnex Hall of the Altar. It served as Holy Shrine and place of prayers to the Goddess of Earth. All others Halls and buildings remaining within the mark only served a minor role as the Places where the ritual food offerings and other necessities for the Rituals were prepared, or the those Places where the Emperor could rest and be secluded while -->
Lingxing Gates pierce the two enclosing Walls, leading South to the Temple Hall of the Earth Goddess.
fasting the Night before the Important Ritual in order to properly purify his Soul for the proceedings. Or a least, that is what the ritual beliefs demanded.
During a Past period, between 1925 AD and 1986 AD, the Hall of the Earth Goddess was in use as a Library open to the Public within the Park. However, in 1986 AD the entire Ditan Park was restored as a number 1 Level National Relic and a unique museum and remnant of Ming Dynasty Architecture.
A View back from the Hall Entrance toward the Gate of the enclosure and the Lingxing Gates beyond.
Scenes of the inside of the Courtyard enclosure holding the Temple Hall of the Earth Goddess, a Wooden Hall built atop a grey brick foundation.
Official Bilingual information board giving a very brief introduction to the small Hall & now museum of the Earth God.
Today the Hall is restored and open under the name "Earth God Worship House" (Huang Qi Shi) and within is the small collection of the Ditan Cultural and Historic Exhibition.
Spend some Time to appreciate the Red chalked Walls of the Enclosure for the Hall of the Earth Goddess and before heading inside take some Time to perceive the architectural details and lay-out of the complex.
Once inside the strong walls of this enclosure, one is first confronted by a miniature ticket office where one needs to get an
The Solid Gate into the courtyard of the God of Earth Hall is Colorfully decorated in traditional Ming Era motifs unique to Imperial buildings in Beijing and the Feudal Era.
Beyond the exquisitely decorated entrance gate stands a wide and low single-roofed Hall and a multitude of ritual utensils and incense burners themselves places on small circular white marble platforms. On both sides of the Main path stand large Vats holding water for extinguishing incense and burning paper.
It is a colorful scene which combines perfectly with the surrounding Natural Elements of Trees and their Shade.
Walk around the Hall to explore and discover the yard is otherwise empty.
The mysterious contents held inside lure ......
Go to the Next Page for a Look around inside of the Hall. On a Hot Day it provides a comfortable cool down and the roof construction and decorations are worth while.
Sound Bonus: Chinese Traditional Song - "Spring & Flowers under the Moonlight".
Lingxing Gates explained:
Lingxing Gates are also known as Heavenly Gates or Gates of the Dragon and the Phoenix, referring to their spiritual functions and their unique appearance at Confucian Era Imperial Temples and Mausolea.
They are ceremonial gates which are found at every ancient Chinese altar in the City and are in fact exclusive to Confucian Altars and Temples, each Confucian Shrine in China having a Lingxing Gate in Front. In the case of Holy Altars, they are found surrounding all Confucian ancient Altars. Altogether however, Lingxing Gates serve various purposes and accordingly symbolize different meanings.
Most Lingxing Gates, especially those at Tombs and Mausolea of the Ming Dynasty such a the Shisan Ling - 13 Ming Tombs Mausoleum Valley complex - serve as Honorary Arches along Holy Pathways. Some other Lingxing Gates are more intricately built and have roofs built over their arches, as is the case at the Confucian Temple(s) in Beijing and at some others around the Chinese Nation. In the Confucian School the presence of the honorary Gates has two functions, first to symbolize the Confucian school's willingness to accept people with talent and virtue and secondly (as is custom) to Honor the First Master of Chinese Philosophy, Confucius (Hence, the Gate of the Master or Gate of Great Accomplishment at Beijing's Confucius Temple).
Close Up of a historically accurate Model of the Linxing Gates and Altar of Earth (as seen withing The Fangze Ting - Hall of The Earth God(dess).
the Altar within the confines of the Walls, and prevent them from "leaking out"..
Study the details on Top depicting Flower and Bird Patterns. The Gate are quite high so depending on the light the details are often hard to make out. The Post of the Gate are traditionally called Dragon Posts and are carved with dragons frolicking about. Look well and discover amazing details. Look adjacent the Gates and note the Yellow Tiling upon the enclosing Walls, signifying the Imperial Status of the Temple.
extra ticket for entry and then is met with a pleasantly stunning view.
To be precise each Lingxing Gate comprises baluster columns and decorated tie-beams above. The space between the columns has one, three or even up to nine partitions which are either blocked with walls or left open with gates to symbolize access to the heavenly Realm, in the meaning that the deceased could ascend to the sky once through this gate, or in the case of the Altars, the opposite, to keep the powers reached and transmitted through
