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What do the columns in the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests symbolize?
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Chinese architecture
The Forbidden City, Beijing.
In the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the 28 massive wooden columns are rich in symbolic meaning, reflecting traditional Chinese cosmogony and the calendar.12
The columns are arranged in three concentric circles, which represent the following time cycles:
* The four seasons (the inner circle)1
* The 12 months of the year (the middle circle)1
* The 12 daily hours (the outer circle)1
Additionally, the total of 28 pillars is understood to symbolize the 28 constellations of the traditional Chinese sky. These columns, crafted from red-lacquered nanmu hardwood, serve as a structural and symbolic foundation for the building, supporting the three roof levels and connecting the earthly structure to the concept of heaven.21