Welcome to the ancient land of China. Stepping through Zhao Yang Men, the "Gate of the Golden Sun," we arrive at the centerpiece of the pavilion, a spectacular replica of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, part of the Temple of Heaven complex built in the early 1400s in Beijing.
Everything here is ripe with detail and symbolism. The dragon and the phoenix are important figures in Chinese culture. Dragons represent power. A phoenix stands for peace and prosperity. Their union represents a marriage of sorts. Look closely at the dragons depicted on the Hall of Prayer, and you'll notice they have five claws, a detail reserved for the emperors. It's appropriate here, as the Temple of Heaven is where the emperor would go to pray (or give thanks) for a good harvest.
Images of the dragon and phoenix continue throughout the incredibly ornate interior of the Hall. Here too are other references to the importance of agriculture and the seasons. The four seasons of the year are represented by the four tall, decorated columns in the middle. Surrounding those are twelve smaller columns, each standing for one of the months of the year. Finally, the twelve highest columns supporting the dome each represent a year in the Chinese calendar, which follows a twelve year cycle.
Back outside, flanking the entrance to the pavilion's exhibit gallery, can be found a pair of Chinese guardian lions. Also known as Fu Lions, they are traditionally placed outside temples, palaces, government buildings and in more recent times restaurants or hotels.
Always appearing in pairs, the lion on the left is female and holds a cub in her paw, while the lion on the right is male and holds a ball or globe. Together, they defend the structure from evil spirits. The male guards the structure. The female protects those inside.
