In the drawing is represented the Emperor Hienfung, attended by his principal ministers, kneeling before the shrine ofHwang-tien Shangtí.Though no foreigner has witnessed this ceremony, a few words concerning this native representation will make plain the chief objects of worship.Upon the triple altar, orTien Tan(Volume I., p.76), the central temporary shrine is dedicated toHwang-Tien Shangtí,or ‘Imperial Heaven’s Ruler above.’ Upon the Emperor’s right, nearest the chief pavilion, are tablets to his ancestors, Tienming, Shunchí, Yungching, and Kiaking; the corresponding opposite house is similarly devoted to Tientsung, Kanghí, Kienlung, and Taukwang. The small buildings behind and below these are theTaming chí Wei,the ‘Altar of the Sun’ or ‘Great Luminary’ (on the right), and theYe-ming chí Wei,or ‘Altar of the Night Luminary.’ The last structure on the worshipper’s right contains tablets to theChau-tien Sing,or ‘All Stars;’ to theUrh-shih pat Suhsing,or ‘Twenty-eight Constellations in the Ecliptic;’ to thePeh-tan Sing,or Ursa Major; and to theMuh,Kin,Shui,Fo,andTu,or Five Elements—‘Wood, Metal, Water, Fire, and Earth.’ Facing this building on the left are shrines toSiueh-sz’,Yü-sz’,Fung-sz’,andLui-sz’,the superintendents of Snow, Rain, Wind, and Thunder.
In the drawing is represented the Emperor Hienfung, attended by his principal ministers, kneeling before the shrine ofHwang-tien Shangtí.Though no foreigner has witnessed this ceremony, a few words concerning this native representation will make plain the chief objects of worship.
Upon the triple altar, orTien Tan(Volume I., p.76), the central temporary shrine is dedicated toHwang-Tien Shangtí,or ‘Imperial Heaven’s Ruler above.’ Upon the Emperor’s right, nearest the chief pavilion, are tablets to his ancestors, Tienming, Shunchí, Yungching, and Kiaking; the corresponding opposite house is similarly devoted to Tientsung, Kanghí, Kienlung, and Taukwang. The small buildings behind and below these are theTaming chí Wei,the ‘Altar of the Sun’ or ‘Great Luminary’ (on the right), and theYe-ming chí Wei,or ‘Altar of the Night Luminary.’ The last structure on the worshipper’s right contains tablets to theChau-tien Sing,or ‘All Stars;’ to theUrh-shih pat Suhsing,or ‘Twenty-eight Constellations in the Ecliptic;’ to thePeh-tan Sing,or Ursa Major; and to theMuh,Kin,Shui,Fo,andTu,or Five Elements—‘Wood, Metal, Water, Fire, and Earth.’ Facing this building on the left are shrines toSiueh-sz’,Yü-sz’,Fung-sz’,andLui-sz’,the superintendents of Snow, Rain, Wind, and Thunder.