TEMPLE OF HEAVEN, Circular Mound Altar Part Ii

As you can see, the 24 Lingxing Gates, arranged around the two rings of walls that encircle the Circular Mound Altar, mark three different entrances with triple gates. Strangely enough, the largest – the central entrance – was destined for the passage of Heaven itself, and not the emperor, who passed through the slightly smaller entrance, while the monks used the third entrance, which is smaller still.

As you come out of the two rings of walls, keeping left of the main entrance, you’ll see a small green glazed brick building with three stairways, each with nine steps, located on three sides and with an open, circular front. This is a wood burner, and the opening was used to insert the firewood. A washed, shaven calf was placed on the top and was burned with pine branches and reeds as a sacrifice to Heaven.  

Everything used for the ceremony, including rolls of silk, ceremonial paintings and other ritual offerings, was also burned here, so that the smoke could reach Heaven, which the celebration was honoring.

The small, circular basin you see on the left was used to contain the hide, tail and blood of the sacrificed animals....