The Beautiful Symbolism of the Chinese Temple of Heaven

The *Tian-Tan, or the Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing is impressive because of its grand size, its many ancient cypress trees, and its unique and majestic architecture. During the time of the Chinese Emperors, only official and solemn ceremonies were permitted in the Tian-Tan. But now, even common people can visit and study the important symbolism of this unique park.

Although the Tian-Tan has only existed for about 500 years, the special rituals that were performed there had their origin thousands of years ago. And only the Chinese Emperor could perform the necessary ceremonies, for which he had the title: Son of Heaven. This exalted Emperor, along with a great company of officials, musicians, singers, and dancers came at specific times to the Tian-Tan.

From the Statutes of the Ming Dynasty, the actual meditations of the Emperor and recitations of the ceremonial singers are known. They would say: "To You, O mysterious-working Maker, I look up in thought… With great ceremonies, I reverently honor You… Your servant, I bow my head to the earth reverently, expecting Your abundant grace. All my officers are here arranged along with me, joyfully worshiping before You."

After personal fasting (abstaining from food) for three days, the Emperor would offer extravagant sacrifices on the giant three-tiered altar, and bow low with prayer and worship inside the beautifully fashioned Halls of the temple grounds. The ancient Chinese knew that without rain and crops, tragedy would result. But the ancestors also knew that these blessings were gifts from heaven.

The source of blessings was not just an abstract place called heaven. In the magnificent Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, a throne is set up in its center. Amazingly, there are no images or idols in the temple. There is only a beautiful blue and gold plaque written in Chinese calligraphy. Here enthroned is the title of the One True God, the Creator of the world and Savior of humankind. The title for God is profound: simply, Huang Tian Shang Di, "the Ruler of Heaven, the Supreme Emperor". Shang-Di transliterated means "Emperor Above." What a wonderful and beautiful symbolism to represent the One True God. This One that created everything else cannot be represented by a mere handmade image. He can only be understood with the power of reason and seen with the eyes of faith. The ancient Chinese certainly understood the concept of One All-powerful Invisible God.

The Chinese have had many religious influences, but the title for God, Shang-Di, goes back thousands of years, long before any other gods and legends came to China. The Emperor was the ruler of China, but the Chinese people knew that even the Emperor was subject to Shang-Di. Everyone must bow before the Chinese Emperor, yet even the Emperor must bow before Shang-Di. No other human received more honor than the Chinese Emperor. However, the Emperor came with humility and prayers before Shang-Di. Why? Because the God that created everything by His power and provides for all through His goodness, deserves supreme honor with thankfulness, from everyone.

Even the exalted Emperor of China could not come before Shang-Di on his own merit. He had to come with a blood sacrifice. Why? Because the Emperor is also a sinner, before the holy God of heaven. The fact is, the Emperor deserved death and judgment when in the presence of Shang-Di, which is not unique to the Emperor alone. The required sacrifices were not only for the Emperor's personal sins, but also for the sins of the people that he ruled. Everyone is a sinner when it comes to keeping the holy decrees of God.

Although, just a man, the Emperor with the noble title, the Son of Heaven, represented a divine personage coming before the God of heaven. He was a priest-king making special sacrifices on behalf of the Chinese people, and by extension, for the whole world. To the Chinese, the fortunes of the entire earth and universe depended on the Son of Heaven's worship and prayers. This was the importance attached to the Chinese Emperor, the Temple of Heaven, and the need of a solemn ceremony before God.

The symbolism of these Chinese customs has a certain similarity to another completed historical event. The commandments of the Bible affirmed that there is only One God, and that no images or idols can be made to represent Him. Long predicted by the Hebrew prophets of the Old Testament Bible, the real Son of Heaven came 2000 years ago according to the New Testament Bible. This real Son of Heaven was sent by God to be a Savior. Born of a virgin woman of the royal Jewish family, the child's name was Jesus. In His person, He was both the Son of God and the Son of Man. His purpose was to be a Priest in order to bring sinful humankind together with a holy God. Since He was also divine, He was able to live a sinless life, and so had perfect unbroken fellowship with God, His Father. During His earthly life, Jesus taught about God and did only good for other people. Yet, through jealousy, ignorance and willful disregard, humankind caused the Him to be killed on a cruel cross. How is this possible, and why would God allow such a thing to happen? It was possible because God Himself had become a man. In addition, it was necessary, and permitted by God so that He, as perfect substitute, could die for the sins of humanity. Jesus' death is the perfect fulfillment of the universal understanding that everyone is sinful, and requires an innocent sacrifice when coming before the holy God of heaven. As Creator and Lawgiver, God had declared that the penalty for sin is death. At the same time, God ordained that He would pay that ultimate penalty Himself. So, life in His presence becomes a gift to those that humbly receive the Son of God's death for their sake. As the Son of Man, Jesus also has perfect understanding and sympathy for the human condition. Through His sacrificial love, the human heart can have peace with God.

The natural urge of all human beings is to continue to live. But the tragedy is that everyone living must eventually die. There is great sorrow at the death of a loved one and great terror at the thought of our own death. However, the great hope through the Lord Jesus Christ is that death has been conquered. According to the Bible and Christian experience, Jesus arose from death never to die again. His perfect payment for our sins, allows us to live forever according to God's original plan for humankind. God possesses eternal life and has made the way for us to have that same kind of life. The real Son of Heaven paid the ultimate price so that we would not experience spiritual death. Spiritual death is a regretful and eternal existence away from the light and love of God in heaven.

To obtain this gift, God has decreed that it must be accepted by faith. He requires us to have an understanding of and faith in Jesus' death as the payment for our sins. The emperors and the Chinese people came in faith to the Temple of Heaven. They came with humility, sacrifices and prayers of faith that Shang-Di existed and had the power to answer them with goodness. Some people with pride and contempt claim that there is no God, and if there is, then He is not holy and good. Of course, this attitude also is a belief based on faith. Therefore, it really is a choice of where to put your faith. You will put your faith in something. So make the wise choice. Use sincere reasoning to consider your standing and condition before God. With genuine faith, accept His gracious gift and obtain that certain hope of eternal life through the real Son of Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jesus walked the earth 2000 years ago, He taught the people of His generation about the necessity of believing in Him and His doctrine. Yet after three years, many still stubbornly refused to believe. Then He compared their hostile response to that of foreigners that had heard the wisdom of an Israelite king and the preaching of a Hebrew prophet. Jesus said: "The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here" (Luke 11:31-32). Now to paraphrase what Jesus said with reference to the Chinese Emperor's worship of Shang-Di: "All the Emperors and wise Chinese people will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for they worshiped the One True God, called Shang-Di, but now one greater than the Chinese Emperor is here!" The greater One that the Lord Jesus Christ was referring to then, and even now, is Himself. As King, Jesus is still patiently waiting for our humble and proper response. Let us not disappoint Him, and we won't be disappointed when He comes from heaven the second time! --This analogy is written in love.

For another, competing aspect of the Chinese Emperor, see "The Oriental Dragon Unveiled."

The meaning of Tian