《明史·志·卷四十一》
天轮有三层，都涂红漆，上层安有贴金边的发光的雕木薄板八十一片，内部是贴金的绘有云龙图案的绿色底子的雕木三层，中间是绘有五彩云的衬板八十一片。
天轮三层，皆红髹，上安雕木贴金边耀叶板八十一片，内绿地雕木贴金云龙文三层，间绘五彩云衬板八十一片。
The celestial wheel has three layers, all painted with red lacquer. The upper layer is fitted with 81 gold-edged, thin, carved wooden panels studded with green panels painted with cloud dragon patterns and gilded on the inside, and the middle layer has 81 backing panels painted with five-colored clouds.