Limit transitions will be derived between the five parameter family of Askey-Wilson polynomials, the four parameter family of big $q$-Jacobi polynomials and the three parameter family of little $q$-Jacobi polynomials in $n$ variables associated with root system $\BC$. These limit transitions generalize the known hierarchy structure between these families in the one variable case. Furthermore it will be proved that these three families are $q$-analogues of the three parameter family of $\BC$ type Jacobi polynomials in $n$ variables. The limit transitions will be derived by taking limits of $q$-difference operators which have these polynomials as eigenfunctions.

Based on the theory of spherical harmonics for measures invariant under a finite reflection group developed by Dunkl recently, we study orthogonal polynomials with respect to the weight functions $|x_1|^{\alpha_1}\cdots |x_d|^{\alpha_d}$ on the unit sphere $S^{d-1}$ in $\RR^d$. The results include explicit formulae for orthonormal polynomials, reproducing and Poisson kernel, as well as intertwining operator.