The Imperial Ancestral Temple, located within the Working People's Cultural Palace on the east side of Tiananmen along Beijing's central axis, was built in the 18th year of the Yongle reign during the Ming Dynasty (1420), concurrently with the Forbidden City. As a vital component of the Forbidden City, the temple consists of three main structures: the Hall for Sacrifices (Xiangdian), the Hall of Rest (Qindian), and the Ancestral Shrine (Tiaomiao). All are aligned along a north-south axis, forming the core of the temple complex.
The Hall for Sacrifices (Xiangdian). Also known as the Great Hall, this structure is of the same grade as the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. It is referred to locally as "The First Hall Under Heaven." The hall is an imposing edifice, measuring 68.2 meters in length, 32 meters in height, and 30.2 meters in depth. Its double-eaved, hip-gable roof is adorned with yellow glazed tiles. At each corner of the roof, mythical creatures such as immortals riding chickens and ridge beasts symbolize imperial power and auspicious omens. Among them, the nine beasts—dragon, phoenix, lion, seahorse, heavenly horse, fish, suanni, xiezhi, and ox—each carry unique meanings.For example, the dragon and phoenix represent the emperor and empress, symbolizing imperial authority and the dignity of the empress; the lion, as the king of beasts, highlights the supremacy of imperial power; the seahorse and heavenly horse symbolize the emperor's virtue that transcends both land and sea; and the suanni, a mythical beast capable of devouring tigers and leopards, represents the emperor's dominion over all under heaven. Beneath the eaves hangs a golden plaque inscribed with "Imperial Ancestral Temple" in both Chinese and Manchu, penned by the Qing Emperor Shunzhi. The plaque itself is embellished with nine dragon heads, symbolizing supremacy.
The entire hall stands atop a 3.46-meter-high triple-layer marble platform (xumizuo). Each tier of the base features intricately carved dragon and phoenix motifs, and around the foundation are charmingly crafted chi-head water spouts. During heavy rains, these spouts create the stunning spectacle of "a thousand dragons spewing water."
Inside, 68 giant Phoebe Zhennan pillars, each 1.2 meters in diameter and 13.32 meters tall, support the structure. The ceilings are decorated with gilded polychrome paintings, and the floors are paved with golden bricks. These features showcase the unparalleled craftsmanship of ancient artisans and reflect the opulence and grandeur of Ming and Qing imperial architecture. During these dynasties, the hall served as the venue for grand ancestral worship ceremonies, characterized by incense smoke, solemn processions, melodious shao music, and elegant yiwu dances. This hall represents the heart of Chinese ancestral worship culture.
The Hall of Rest (Qindian). Located Located to the north of the Hall for Sacrifices, the Hall of Rest comprises several interconnected structures, including the main hall, auxiliary wings (duwu), covered corridors (dudian), open passageways (toududian), side corridors (lang), and fishing pavilions (diaodian). These elements form a complex architectural ensemble with the main hall at its center. The intricate designs, such as gilded beams featuring coiled dragons and phoenix motifs, embody the imperial dignity and solemnity of the space. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Hall of Rest served as a place for enshrining the spirit tablets of past emperors and empresses, symbolizing their eternal repose.
The Ancestral Shrine (Tiaomiao). Located behind the Hall of Rest, the Ancestral Shrine was built in the 4th year of the Hongzhi reign (1491) to honor the distant ancestors of the emperor. The concept of the Tiao Temple is discussed in ancient texts such as The Book of Han: Biography of Wang Mang, Han Yu's Discussion on the Sacrificial Ceremonies during the Tang dynasty, and Zhao Lian's Records of the Xiaoting Pavilion: Rear Hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple from the Qing dynasty. These works emphasize the significant role of Tiao Temples in ancient society. Furthermore, in The Book of Rites: The Sacrificial Code, compiled by Confucius and his disciples during the Spring and Autumn period, the royal protocol for establishing seven ancestral temples is outlined. These include the Temple of the Deceased Father, the Temple of the Royal Grandfather, the Temple of the Imperial Forefather, and the Temple of the Glorious Ancestor, among others. This highlights that Tiao Temples were not merely places for ancestral worship but also essential carriers of family history and culture. The existence of Tiao Temples reflects profound respect for ancestors and a commitment to preserving family heritage. In the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Tiao Temple is separated from the Hall of Rest by partition walls, symbolizing a wish to ensure that the distant royal forebears and sages may enjoy undisturbed repose.
The Imperial Ancestral Temple is the most complete extant example of imperial ancestral worship architecture in China. Beyond its architectural brilliance, it serves as a testament to the profound respect ancient Chinese society held for ancestor veneration. This cultural tradition played a pivotal role in maintaining social order and fostering national unity. Through a visit to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, one can gain deep insights into the cultural and spiritual foundations of ancient Chinese society, as well as the enduring significance of ancestral worship in shaping Chinese civilization.
