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Temple of Heaven


Temple of Heaven
Photo Information
Copyright: Hans Spruijt (GreenBaron) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3155 W: 799 N: 9730] (38817)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-12
Categories: Architecture, Artwork
Camera: Minolta Z1
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Travelogue: China 2005
Theme(s): Travelling China 2005 [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-03-23 13:40
Viewed: 703
Points: 35
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Beijing Temple of Heaven

This is also a part of the Yan Shou, but not from a roof of the Forbidden City, but at the Temple of Heaven, which is situated in a really nice park in the middle China’s capital city, of Beijing. This photo is part of my 3000+ picture gallery of China and I couldn’t resist to post it today on TL. In the park our Chinese friends do all kind of great relaxing things, like dancing with half the Beijing, so many, playing chess, or mah-jong , acting, opera singing., or just looking and listening to caged birds! A gorgeous place to be. See also my picture of the Dancing Chinese in my WS.


Some PP- work was done, like increasing brightness and contrast, adding a blue sky in stead of the dull grey one from the original. (Thanks Anneke ;)


Temple of Heaven

The Temple of Heaven, literally the Altar of Heaven (pinyin: Tiāntán; Manchu: Abkai mukdehun) is a complex of Taoist buildings situated in southeastern urban Beijing, in Xuanwu District. Construction of the complex began in 1420, and was thereafter visited by all subsequent Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is regarded as a Taoist temple, although the worship of Heaven, especially by the reigning monarch of the day, pre-dates Taoism.
The Temple grounds covers 2.73 km˛ of parkland, and comprises three main groups of constructions, all built according to strict philosophical requirements:
• The Earthly Mount, is the altar proper. It is an empty platform on three levels of marble stones, where the Emperor prayed for favourable weather;
• The House of Heavenly Lord, a single-gabled circular building, built on a single level of marble stone base, where the altars were housed when not in use;
• The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a magnificent triple-gabled circular building, built on three levels of marble stone base, where the Emperor prayed for good harvests.

In ancient China, the Emperor of China was regarded as the "Son of Heaven", who administered earthly matters on behalf of, and representing, heavenly authority. To be seen to be showing respect to the source of his authority, in the form of sacrifices to heaven, was extremely important. The temple was built for these ceremonies, mostly comprised of prayers for good harvests.
Each winter solstice the Emperor and all his retinue would move through the city to encamp within the complex, wearing special robes and abstaining from eating meat; there the Emperor would personally pray to Heaven for good harvests. The ceremony had to be perfectly completed; it was widely held that the smallest of mistakes would constitute a bad omen for the whole nation in the coming year.
The Temple of Heaven is the grandest of the four great temples located in Beijing. The other prominent temples include the Temple of Sun in the east, the Temple of Earth in the north, and the Temple of Moon in the west. (Text Wikipedia.com)
shelbeesmom, Hendrika, Alba, Silvio2006, riverfriends, XOTAELE, gypsygirl58, cstathoulis, Ivan, MLINES has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To shelbeesmom: Thanks!GreenBaron 2 03-24 09:07
To Ivan: ForgiveGreenBaron 1 03-24 08:05
To gypsygirl58: Thanks!GreenBaron 1 03-24 04:46
To TheMystic: Deja vueGreenBaron 1 03-24 04:39
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Critiques [Translate]

En waar haal je nou toch die chinese (en griekse) lettertekens vandaan. Wat moet dat fantastisch zijn om daar rond te lopen.
Prachtige foto Hans!
TFS
Els

  • Great 
  • Alba Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 577 W: 0 N: 207] (2762)
  • [2007-03-23 15:04]

Hi Hans,
I've been there, too, and was mesmerized by the same details as you : all these animals on the roofs, so different and delicate!
Thanks to remind me of such beauty!
Mary

  • Great 
  • Ejtaan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1088 W: 119 N: 1919] (9516)
  • [2007-03-23 15:50]

This early morning ritual in the parks of Beijing realy looks so much fun. And believe me, I WILL join them when we are there!

It's great to see how you pick up on things! Very nice work Hans!

For a moment there I was wondering if the roof ornaments on this roof are realy this blue-ish color. I remember the other one you had posted being more red/brown-ish.

Anyways it's a great entry again and it makes me look even more forward to our trip over there.
7 more weeks and we'll be on our way!!!! counting down!

Cheers,
Anneke

Outstanding capture Hans, Great details and perfect esposues. The notes are very informative to me. I had visited some Temples (Budhist) at the boarder of India-China, but never seen anything like this!
David

Buenos detalles los de estos tejados. Los colores se entrecruzan con el fondo del cielo.
Estupenda y acertada composición en este original POV.
Saludos, JL.

Hi Hans,
Looks like a fascinating place to visit!! Incredible architecture, great composition, details and sharpness, colud spend hours just looking! Looks good with the blue sky as a backdrop. Great framing as always! Well done and TFS
Cheers Tina :-)

  • Good 
  • Ivan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 498 W: 104 N: 275] (3559)
  • [2007-03-23 18:06]
  • [+]

Hi Hans,
Will you forgive me for giving 1 point instead of 2 ? Your picture is so well presented (the Asiatic's signs on the top right fit so well), it catch my eyes.
But, IMO, the subject in itself is too dense. There is not a detail that stand of from the overall. There is nt a main interest with a context, but a context waiting for a main interest. Your note is still an example to follow and that picture is presented with a lot of class. Bravo for that !
Ivan

Nice lines and angles! Nice POV and sharpness great note,
Shelby

Wow, Hans, what a dramatic shot! It's dejavu, because I think I've seen a close-up of such figures, either yours or someone else on trek.
The details and the zigzag roof angles are just exceptional!
Cheers
Otto

Hi Hans. Very good perspective to show the intricate workmanship in this roof. These oriental roof features are always a delight. Good note about this style. Murray.

Beautiful architecture, on the BG of the intense blue sky. Those sculptures are amazing. Excellent POV and framing.

TFS,

Andreea

pt

  • Great 
  • lopa Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1195 W: 264 N: 877] (8915)
  • [2007-03-24 4:57]

Hi Hans,
Excellent composition. Great shot and idea.
I like the light and wonderful colors.
TFS
Lopa

Hi Hans, lovely view of a great chinese architecture, beautiful composition with wonderful sky, excellent presentation, very well done, have a nice week end, ciao Silvio

Great roof - I love all the details. Sometimes it is nice to focus in on the small things. Nice subject to show us Hans

TFS

Karan

Hi Hans,

Wonderful detail from the Beijing Temple of Heaven, great detail and sharpness. The colors are lovely and the exposure very good. I also like the tight composition.
TFS,
Vassilis

  • Great 
  • puffy Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2014 W: 136 N: 3063] (16571)
  • [2007-03-24 7:28]

Excellent shot my dear, look great, I like the pov here, nice composition, very nice sharpness and textures, well done, thanks for sharing

Cheers,
Sweety

Gorgeous! What an adventure! You must have lots of memories of this place Hans! Great POV here, showing the statues! Imagine the cost!
B-)
Your Calamity
pt

Hi Hans,

Very nice details of this temple in Beijing! Great contrast and colours! The blue sky as a background adds to the composition.

Well done
Constantinos

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