Abstract:  The evolution of the center of ancient rituals from ancestral temple to palace started from the combination of temple and chamber to the gradual independence of luqin （principal chamber） which evolved into zhengqin (central chamber) or wangqin （king chamber）. Later on, Zhengqin acquired actual administrative function and finally turned into palace as the name suggested. Accompanied with the evolution from temple to palace were the changes in three aspects. The first change is that the capital structure, originally following the mainstream-seated east facing west, turned into being seated north facing south. The second is the change of the positions of the palace and temple, with the temple moving from the center to the side. The third change is the final establishment of palace as the center. The change of the architectural structure from the temple to the palace as the center permeates with the disposition of Chinese nation.

Key words: the center of rituals, combination of temple and chamber, the independence of luqin, the palace as the center