Jongmyo
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea |
| Reference | 738 |
| Inscription | 1995 (19th Session) |
| Area | 19.4 ha (48 acres) |
| Coordinates | 37°34′30″N 126°59′38″E / 37.57500°N 126.99389°ECoordinates: 37°34′30″N 126°59′38″E / 37.57500°N 126.99389°E |
  Location of Jongmyo in South Korea | |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Jongmyo |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chongmyo |
Jongmyo (Hangul: 종묘; Hanja: 宗廟) is a Confucian shrine dedicated to the perpetuation of memorial services for the deceased kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). According to UNESCO, the shrine is the oldest royal Confucian shrine preserved and the ritual ceremonies continue a tradition established in the 14th century. Such shrines existed during the Three Kingdoms of Korea period (57–668), but these have not survived. The Jongmyo Shrine was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995.[1]
Jongmyo is adjacent to Changdeok Palace and Changgyeong Palace in the south. They used to be connected in the Joseon period, but were separated by a road built by Japanese colonists. Currently, there is a construction plan to recover the original structure of the shrine. The main buildings of Jongmyo were constructed in October 1394 when Taejo, founder and first king of Joseon, moved the capital to Hanseong (present-day Seoul). The shrine was destroyed by fire in the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598), then rebuilt in early 1600s.
The shrine continues to be the venue for the Jongmyo Daejae ancestor-worship ceremony, where descendants of the imperial family honor the spirits of their deceased ancestors.
History[edit]
When it was built in 1394 at the order of King Taejo, the Jongmyo Shrine was thought to be one of the longest buildings in Asia, if not the longest. The main hall, known as Jeongjeon (Hangul: 정전; Hanja: 正殿), had seven niches or myoshil (Hangul: 묘실; Hanja: 廟室, lit. "Temple Room"), each reserved for the spirit tablets of a king and his queens. The complex was expanded by King Sejong (r. 1418–50) who ordered the construction of Yeongnyeongjeon (Hangul: 영년전; Hanja: 永寧殿, "Hall of Eternal Comfort"). This practice of expansion continued, with the growth of the complex moving from west to east, because of the need to house more memorial tablets during the reigns of later kings until there were a total of 19 myoshil.[2] However, during the Seven Years War (1592–98), Japanese invaders burned down the original shrine and a new complex was constructed in 1601 and has survived to this day. The original spirit tablets were saved in the invasion by hiding them in the house of a commoner.[3]
A king's tablet was enshrined three years after his death, which is the end of the morning period for a king. There are 19 tablets of kings and 30 of their queens, placed in the 19 niches. Each niche is very simple and plain in design. Only two kings' memorial tablets are not enshrined here.[4] In addition to the tablet, there is a panel listing each king's accomplishments.
The two most recent enshrinements occurred in 1973 and 1991 in Yeongnyeongjeon Room 16, for Crown Prince Euimin and his wife Crown Princess Bangja, respectively.[5]
The current Jeongjeon is National treasure No. 227 and is the longest building in Korea of traditional design.[4]
Jeongjeon (정전; 正殿)[edit]
| Temple Room (Royal Shrine)
- Myo-shil (묘실; 廟室) |
Honored King/ Emperor
- Je-wang (제왕; 祭王) |
Empress(es)/ Queen(s)
- Wang-hu (왕후; 王后) |
Honored Subjects with Recognition of the Reigning King
- Baehyang Gongshin (배향 공신; 配享功臣) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Hangul | Name | Hangul (Hanja) | Name | Hangul (Hanja) | Name-Hangul (Hanja) |
| First Room | Je-han-shil
제1실 |
Taejo Go-Hwangje
("Taejo, the High Emperor") |
태조고황제
(太祖高皇帝) |
Shinui Go-Wang-hu | 신의고황후
(神懿高皇后) |
조준, 의안대군, 남재, 이제, 이지란, 남은, 조인옥 |
| Shindeok Go-Wang-hu
(High Queen Sindeok) |
신덕고황후
(神德高皇后) | |||||
| Second Room | Je-du-shil
제2실 |
Taejong Dae-wang | 태종대왕
(太宗大王) |
Wongyeong Wang-hu | 원경왕후
(元敬王后) |
Ha Ryun 하륜 (河崙), 조영무, 정탁, 이천우, 이래 |
| Third Room | Je-se-shil
제3실 |
Sejong Dae-wang | 세종대왕
(世宗大王) |
Soheon Wang-hu | 소헌왕후
(昭憲王后) |
황희, 최윤덕, 허조, 신개, 이수, Yangnyeong Daegun 양녕대군 (讓寧大君), Hyoryeong Daegun 효령대군 (孝寧大君) |
| Fourth Room | Je-ne-shil
제4실 |
Sejo Dae-wang | 세조대왕
(世祖大王) |
Jeonghui Wang-hu | 정희왕후
(貞熹王后) |
Gwon Ram 권람 (權擥), Han Hwak 한확 (韓確), Han Myeonghoe 한명회 (韓明澮) |
| Fifth Room | Je-daseos-shil
제5실 |
Seongjong Dae-wang | 성종대왕
(成宗大王) |
Gonghye Wang-hu | 공혜왕후
(恭惠王后) |
Sin Sukju 신숙주 (申叔舟), 정창손, 홍응 |
| Jeonghyeon Wang-hu | 정현왕후
(貞顯王后) | |||||
| Sixth Room | Je-yeoseos-shil
제6실 |
Jungjong Dae-wang | 중종대왕
(中宗大王) |
Dangyeong Wang-hu | 단경왕후
(端敬王后) |
Bak Wonjong 박원종 (朴元宗), Seong Huian 성희안 (成希顔), Ryu Sunjeong 류순정 (柳順汀), 정광필 |
| Janggyeong Wang-hu | 장경왕후
(章敬王后) | |||||
| Munjeong Wang-hu | 문정왕후
(文定王后) | |||||
| Seventh Room | Je-ilgop-shil
제7실 |
Seonjo Dae-wang | 선조대왕
(宣祖大王) |
Ui-in Wang-hu
(Queen Uiin) |
의인왕후
(懿仁王后) |
이준경, Yi Hwang 이황 (李滉), Yi I 이이 (李珥) |
| Inmok Wang-hu | 인목왕후
(仁穆王后) | |||||
| Eighth Room | Je-yeodeol-shil
제8실 |
Injo Dae-wang | 인조대왕
(仁祖大王) |
Inryeol / Il-lyeol Wang-hu
(Queen Inyeol) |
인렬왕후
(仁烈王后) |
이원익, 신흠, 김류, 이귀, 신경진, 이서, 능원대군 |
| Jangnyeol Wang-hu | 장렬왕후
(莊烈王后) | |||||
| Ninth Room | Je-ahop-shil
제9실 |
Hyojong Dae-wang | 효종대왕
(孝宗大王) |
Inseon Wang-hu | 인선왕후
(仁宣王后) |
김상헌, Gim Jip 김집 (金集), Song Siyeol 송시열 (宋時烈), 인평대군, 민정중, 민유중 |
| Tenth Room | Je-yeol-shil
제10실 |
Hyeonjong Dae-wang | 현종대왕
(顯宗大王) |
Myeongseong Wang-hu | 명성왕후
(明聖王后) |
정태화, 김좌명, 김수항, 김만기 |
| Eleventh Room | Je-yeorhan-shil
제11실 |
Sukjong Dae-wang | 숙종대왕
(肅宗大王) |
Ingyeong Wang-hu | 인경왕후
(仁敬王后) |
남구만, 박세채, Yun Jiwan 윤지완 (尹趾完), Choi Seokjeong 최석정 (崔錫鼎), Gim Seokju 김석주 (金錫冑), Gim Manjung 김만중 (金萬重) |
| Inhyeon Wang-hu | 인현왕후
(仁顯王后) | |||||
| Inwon Wang-hu | 인원왕후
(仁元王后) | |||||
| Twelfth Room | Je-yeoldu-shil
제12실 |
Yeongjo Dae-wang | 영조대왕
(英祖大王) |
Wang-hu | 정성왕후
(貞聖王后) |
김창집, 최규서, 민진원, 조문명, 김재로 |
| Wang-hu | 정순왕후
(貞純王后) | |||||
| Thirteenth Room | Je-yeolse-shil
제13실 |
Jeongjo Seon-Hwangje | 정조선황제
(正祖宣皇帝) |
Seon-Wang-hu | 효의선황후
(孝懿宣皇后) |
김종수, 유언호, 김조순 |
| Fourteenth Room | Je-yeolne-shil
제14실 |
Sunjo Suk-Daewang
("Sunjo, the Revered Emperor") |
순조숙황제
(純祖肅皇帝) |
Suk-Wang-hu | 순원숙황후
(純元肅皇后) |
이시수, 김재찬, 김이교, 조득영, 남연군, 조만영 |
| Fifteenth Room | Je-yeoldaseos-shil
제15실 |
Munjo Ik-Hwanje
(Crown Prince Hyomyeong) |
문조익황제
(文祖翼皇帝) |
Ik-Wang-hu | 신정익황후
(神貞翼皇后) |
남공철, 김로, 조병구 |
| Sixteenth Room | Je-yeor'yeoseos-shil
제16실 |
Heonjong Seong-Hwanje | 헌종성황제
(憲宗成皇帝) |
Seong-Wang-hu | 효현성황후
(孝顯成皇后) |
이상황, 조인영 |
| Seong-Wang-hu | 효정성황후
(孝定成皇后) | |||||
| Seventeenth Room | Je-ilgop-shil
제17실 |
Cheoljong Jang-Hwangje | 철종장황제
(哲宗章皇帝) |
Jang-Wang-hu | 철인장황후
(哲仁章皇后) |
이헌구, 익평군, 김수근 |
| Eighteenth Room | Je-yeor'yeodeol-shil
제18실 |
Gojong Tae-Hwangje
("Gojong, the Grand Emperor") |
고종태황제
(高宗太皇帝) |
Tae-Wang-hu | 명성태황후
(明成太皇后) |
박규수, 신응조, 이돈우, 민영환 |
| Nineteenth Room | Je-yeor'ahop-shil
제19실 |
Sunjong Hyo-Hwangje
("Sunjong, the Filial Emperor") |
순종효황제
(純宗孝皇帝) |
Sunmyeong Hyo-Wang-hu
("Sunmyeong, the Filial Empress") |
순명효황후
(純明孝皇后) |
송근수, 서정순 |
| Sunjeong Hyo-Wang-hu
("Sunjong, the Filial Empress") |
순정효황후
(純貞孝皇后) | |||||
Yeongnyeongjeon (영녕전; 永寧殿)[edit]
| Temple Room (Royal Shrine)
- Myo-shil (묘실; 廟室) |
Honored King
- Je-wang (제왕; 祭王) |
Empress(es)/ Queen(s)
- Wang-hu (왕후; 王后) |
Honored Subjects with Recognition of the Reigning King
- Baehyang Gongshin (배향 공신; 配享功臣) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Hangul | Name | Hangul (Hanja) | Name | Hangul (Hanja) | Name-Hangul (Hanja) |
| First Room | Je-han-shil
제1실 |
Dae-wang | 목조대왕(穆祖大王) | 효공왕후(孝恭王后) | ||
| Second Room | Je-du-shil
제2실 |
Dae-wang | 익조대왕(翼祖大王) | 정숙왕후(貞淑王后) | ||
| Third Room | Je-se-shil
제3실 |
Dae-wang | 도조대왕(度祖大王) | 경순왕후(敬順王后) | ||
| Fourth Room | Je-ne-shil
제4실 |
Dae-wang | 환조대왕(桓祖大王) | 의혜왕후(懿惠王后) | ||
| Fifth Room | Je-daseos-shil
제5실 |
Dae-wang | 정종대왕(定宗大王) | 정안왕후(定安王后) | 익안대군 | |
| Sixth Room | Je-yeoseos-shil
제6실 |
Dae-wang | 문종대왕(文宗大王) | 현덕왕후(顯德王后) | 하연 | |
| Seventh Room | Je-ilgop-shil
제7실 |
Dae-wang | 단종대왕(端宗大王) | 정순왕후(定順王后) | ||
| Eighth Room | Je-yeodeol-shil
제8실 |
Dae-wang | 덕종대왕(德宗大王) | 소혜왕후(昭惠王后) | ||
| Ninth Room | Je-ahop-shil
제9실 |
Dae-wang | 예종대왕(睿宗大王) | 장순왕후(章順王后) | 박원형 | |
| 안순왕후(安順王后) | ||||||
| Tenth Room | Je-yeol-shil
제10실 |
Dae-wang | 인종대왕(仁宗大王) | 인성왕후(仁聖王后) | 홍언필, 김안국 | |
| Eleventh Room | Je-yeorhan-shil
제11실 |
Dae-wang | 명종대왕(明宗大王) | 인순왕후(仁順王后) | 심연원, 이언적 | |
| Twelfth Room | Je-yeoldu-shil
제12실 |
Dae-wang | 원종대왕(元宗大王) | 인헌왕후(仁獻王后) | ||
| Thirteenth Room | Je-yeolse-shil
제13실 |
Dae-wang | 경종대왕(景宗大王) | 단의왕후(端懿王后) | 이유, 민진후 | |
| 선의왕후(宣懿王后) | ||||||
| Fourteenth Room | Je-yeolne-shil
제14실 |
So-Hwangje
("Jinjong, the Radiant Emperor") |
진종소황제(眞宗昭皇帝) | 효순소황후(孝順昭皇后) | ||
| Fifteenth Room | Je-yeoldaseos-shil
제15실 |
Ui-Hwangje
("Jangjo, the Virtuous Emperor") |
장조의황제(莊祖懿皇帝) | 헌경의황후(獻敬懿皇后) | 민백상, 이종성 | |
| Sixteenth Room | Je-yeor'yeoseos-shil
제16실 |
Hwangtaeja Yeong-wang
(Crown Prince, Eternal King) |
의민황태자 영왕(懿愍皇太子 永王) | Euiminhwangtaejabi (Crown Princess Bangja) | 의민황태자비(懿愍太子妃) | |
Description[edit]
Viewed from the king's throne room at Gyeongbok Palace, Jongmyo Shrine would have been on the king's left while the Sajik Shrine, another important Confucian shrine, was on the right. This arrangement was derived from Chinese practice. The main halls are surrounded by hills. In front of the main hall is the Woldae Courtyard, which is 150 meters in length and 100 meters in width.
The south entrance gate was reserved for spirits to enter and exit, the east gate was for the king, and the west gate was for the performers of the royal ritual.[6]
| Area | Structure | Hangul | Hanja | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeong-mun | Jeong-mun | 정문 | 正門 | another given name is Changyeopmun (창엽문; 蒼葉門) |
| Mangmyoru | 망묘루 | 望廟樓 | the structure named after King Jehyangshi (제향시왕) | |
| Hyangdaecheong | 향대청 | where the ritual of Hyangchukpye (향축폐; 香祝幣) is performed | ||
| Gongmin-wang Shindang | 공민왕 신당 | 恭愍王神堂 | built by Emperor Taejo of Joseon to honor King Gongmin of Goryeo and the Mongolian princess (노국대장공주; 魯國大長公主) Borjigin Budashiri (孛兒只斤 寶塔實里), later known as Queen Noguk | |
| Eosuk-shil | Eosuk-shil | 어숙실 | 御宿室 | also known as Eojaeshil (어재실; 御齋室); surrounded by Dongnedam (동레담) and its main gate; the gates Donghyeopmun (돟협문) and Seohyeopmun (서협문) |
| Jeongjeon | Jeongjeon | 정전 | 正殿 | in the temple courtyard - myojeong 묘정 (廟庭) has spaces of myojeong woldae (묘정 월대), hawoldae (하월대) sangwoldae (상월대), and the halls gongshin-dang (공신당) chilsa-dang (칠사당), other structures like subok-bang (수복방), jeonsa-cheong (전사청; 典祀廳), akkong-cheong (악공청; 樂工廳), munha-bang (문하방; 文下枋), shinbang-mok/ shimbang-mok (신방목; 信枋木), gamshil (감실) |
| Gongshin-dang | 공신당 | 功臣堂 | where enshrines the 94 ancestral tablets: 16 emperors and empresses (or kings and queens) and 83 of which are their notable subjects of Yi Clan of Joseon (이씨조선; 李氏朝鮮) | |
| Chilsa-dang |
- *'Panwi Dae',
- *'Jun-Sa Chung (전사청)'
|
|
Rituals and performances[edit]
An elaborate performance of ancient court music (with accompanying dance) known as Jongmyo Jeryeak (Hangul: 종묘제례악; Hanja: 宗廟祭禮樂) is performed there each year for the Jongmyo Jerye ritual. Musicians, dancers, and scholars would perform Confucian rituals, such as the Jongmyo Daeje (Royal Shrine Ritual) in the courtyard five times a year.[4] Today the rituals have been reconstructed and revived. The Jongmyo Daeje has been designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 56 and is performed every year on the first Sunday in May.[4] The Jongmyo Jeryeak, the traditional court music of Joseon, is performed by the Royal Court Orchestra and has been designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 1.[4] This court music has its origins in Chinese court music that was brought to Korea during the Goryeo period (918–1392).[7] King Sejong composed new music for the ritual based largely on hyangak (with some dangak) in 1447 and 1462.[7]
The songs invite the ancestral spirits to descend from heaven to enjoy the kings' achievements in founding the dynasty and defending the country in order to encourage their descendants to follow in their footsteps.[8] Today, the members of the Jeonju Yi Royal Family Association perform the rites to the accompaniment of music and dance provided by musicians from the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts and dancers from the Gukak National High School.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Jongmyo Shrine". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
- ^ Cho Eun Kyoung, ed. (2015). World Heritage in Korea. pp. 129–146. ISBN 978-89-6555-040-2.
- ^ Jongmyo Ancestral Shrine, Seoul, Korea, South at www
.orientalarchitecture .com - ^ a b c d e Jongmyo Shrine at www
.lifeinkorea .com - ^ [1] Jongmyo Management Office
- ^ Confucianism - Jongmyo Royal Ancestral Shrine at web
.archive .org /web /20051224080341 /http: //media .graniteschools .org - ^ a b Performing Arts: Jongmyo Cherye-ak at www
.lifeinkorea .com - ^ a b Korean Culture and Information Service (2010). Guide to Korean Culture. 13-13 Gwancheol-dong, Jongno-gu, Seul 110-11 Korea: Hollym. p. 75.
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Bibliography[edit]
- Hoon, Shin Young (2008). The Royal Palaces of Korea: Six Centuries of Dynastic Grandeur (Hardback). Singapore: Stallion Press. ISBN 978-981-08-0806-8.
External links[edit]
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jongmyo. |
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- Religious buildings and structures completed in 1394
- Jongno District
- World Heritage Sites in South Korea
- National Treasures of South Korea
- Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
- Tourist attractions in Seoul
- Important Intangible Cultural Properties of South Korea
- Korean Confucianism
- Buildings and structures in Seoul
- Historic Sites of South Korea
- Confucian temples in Korea