Taiyuan Imperial Ancestral Temple

Taiyuan Imperial Ancestral Temple

The Taiyuan Imperial Ancestral Temple is a cultural relic protection unit of Taiyuan City.

The Taiyuan Imperial Ancestral Temple was a site where emperors, royals, and civil and military officials of the Ming and Qing dynasties offered sacrifices to their ancestors and held celebratory ceremonies. Among surviving imperial ancestral temples, the one in Taiyuan is the only remaining example. It was built 48 years earlier than Beijing’s Imperial Ancestral Temple. The temple features yellow glazed tile roofs and dragon-shaped decorations—the highest architectural grade in ancient China—and is the only one of its kind in Shanxi.

The Taiyuan Imperial Ancestral Temple is a palatial-style ancient architectural complex. Although renovated during the Ming and Qing dynasties, its overall layout and brick-and-timber structure still retain characteristics of the Ming Dynasty. The front courtyard is magnificent and splendid, the middle (main) courtyard is majestic and imposing, and the rear courtyard is simple and unadorned—each representing the essence of the ancient architectural ensemble. The middle courtyard, which is the main courtyard, is divided into three layers of walled spaces. The rear palace is adorned with Suzhou-style polychrome paintings of figures outlined in gold and filled with colors, painted during the Qing Dynasty renovations. The three palaces were venues for sacrifices and celebrations, but unfortunately, historical records are lacking and details cannot be elaborated. According to Ming Dynasty rituals, however, the rear palace should have served as living quarters for the deities. In the center were enshrined Emperor Heng Huangdi Yi Zu and Emperor Yi Huangdi Ren Zu of Zhu Yuanzhang’s lineage, on the east side were enshrined Emperor Yu Huangdi Xi Zu (his great-grandfather) and on the west side Emperor Chun Huangdi Ren Zu (his grandfather).

The sacrificial ceremonies at the Imperial Ancestral Temple had established rituals since the first year of the Hongwu reign. Originally, sacrifices to the imperial ancestors were held on the first day of each of the “Four Beginnings”—namely, the beginning of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Later, these dates were changed to Qingming Festival in spring, Dragon Boat Festival in summer, Ghost Festival (Zhongyuan) in autumn, and Winter Solstice in winter. Aside from the traditional offerings of three types of livestock, millet, and grain, fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables were also presented. In addition, major events concerning the imperial court such as ascension to the throne, imperial tours, posthumous titles, burials in the mausoleum, royal appointments, coming-of-age ceremonies, and weddings—as well as celebratory occasions of the Prince of Jin’s Palace—were all announced to the ancestors here.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relic Protection Units in Taiyuan City