Wikipedia

Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty

The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (Korean: 조선왕릉) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site registered in 2009 that includes 40 tombs of members of the House of Yi, which ruled Korea (at the time known as Joseon, and later as the Korean Empire) between 1392 and 1910. The tombs are scattered over 18 locations across the Korean Peninsula. They were built to honor the ancestors and their achievements, and assert royal authority.[1] Two other Joseon tombs, located in Kaesong, North Korea, were proposed but not submitted.

Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
Yeongneung, the resting place of Sejong the Great and Queen Soheon
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty is located in South Korea
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
Location of the tombs
LocationSouth Korea
History
BuiltJoseon
Site notes
Governing bodyCultural Heritage Administration of Korea
TypeCultural
Criteriaiii, iv, vi
Designated2009 (33rd session)
Reference no.1319
Region
Asia and Australasia
Korean name
Hangul
조선왕릉
Hanja
朝鮮王陵
RRJoseon wangneung
MRChosŏn wangnŭng

Configuration

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The royal tombs can be divided into three main sections:

Area around the hongsalmun

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It is the meeting point between the dead and the living. The area just around the hongsalmun is the space for the living.

Area past the hongsalmun

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This is the space between the earthly and the holy, where the spirits of the departed meet their worshippers. It contains the jeongjagak, the subokbang, and the suragan.

Burial ground

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This area includes the burial mounds, the wall and the other stone monuments.[2]

List of structures[2]

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  1. Gokjang – the five sides of the wall around the burial mound, which protects the sacred area.
  2. Seokho – the tiger deity, which serves as the guardian of the bongbun.
  3. Seogyang – a sheep statue, which fends off the evil spirits from earth and prays for the soul of the departed.
  4. Mangjuseok – a pair of stone pillars erected on both sides of the burial mound.
  5. Bongbun – the place where the body of the departed lies; also called neungchim or neungsang.
  6. Nanganseok – a hedge-like stone, which protects the byeongpungseok.
  7. Honyuseok – a rectangular stone erected in front of the burial mound, which is believed to invite the soul of the departed to come out.
  8. Muninseok – statues of scholars placed on the left and right sides of the jangmyeongdeung.
  9. Jangmyeongdeung – a lantern, which comforts the soul of the departed and prays for blessings.
  10. Seongma – a horse statue.
  11. Muinseok – the statue of a soldier, which is said to be guarding the king and is placed below the muninseok.
  12. Yegam – used for burning the written prayers after a burial service; it is located on the left-side corner behind the jeongjagak.
  13. Bigak – a small pavilion, which houses a stone monument inscribed with the names of the king and the queen on the front, and a list of the king's accomplishments on the back.
  14. Jeongjagak – the shrine where memorial services are held.
  15. Chamdo – two stone-covered pathways that lead to the jeongjagak; the higher one is called sindo, while the lower one is called eodo (this is the pathway used by visitors).
  16. Suragan – the kitchen where food is prepared for memorial services.
  17. Subokbang – the living quarters of the officer guarding the tomb.
  18. Baewi – the place where visitors knelt in honor of the departed; also called panwi or eobaeseok.
  19. Hongsalmun – the gate with two red cylindrical pillars.
  20. Byeongpungseok –the stone which was placed underneath and around to protect the bongbun.

Tombs

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The tombs are classified into two types. The kings and queens (and those posthumously granted the titles) were interred in neung (陵; 릉)-type tombs. Crown princes and crown princesses were interred in won (園; 원)-type tombs. Other members of the royal family were interred in myo (墓; 묘)-type tombs.

The royal tombs are scattered over 18 locations, with many of them located as far as 40 kilometers from Seoul. For example, Jangneung is in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, while Yeongneung is in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. Tombs were made for individuals as well as family groups.

Joseon-era royal tombs followed the guidelines outlined in Chinese Confucian texts, such as the Book of Rites and the Rites of Zhou. Many factors went into consideration when deciding the location of a tomb, such as the distance from the capital (present-day Seoul), the distance from other royal tombs, the accessibility, and pungsu (geomancy).

There now follows a list (in alphabetical order) of the individual (or clusters of) tombs. There are two more royal tombs from the Joseon era in North Korea, namely Cherung (제릉), which holds the remains of Queen Sinui, the first wife of King Taejo, and Hurung (후릉), which consists of the twin burial mounds of King Jeongjong and his wife, Queen Jeongan.[3]

Donggureung (동구릉)

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Geonwolleung

37°37′11″N 127°07′53″E / 37.61972°N 127.13139°E / 37.61972; 127.13139

This cluster (lit. ''Nine Eastern Tombs'') is located on the west bank of the Wangsukcheon Stream in Guri, Gyeonggi Province.[4] It is the best sample of cluster tombs from the Joseon era and represents the evolution of royal tomb architecture over a period of five hundred years. Seven kings and ten queens are interred in nine neung-type tombs. The most notable in this cluster is Geonwolleung (건원릉) for King Taejo, the founder of Joseon. Hyeolleung (현릉) consists of the separate burial mounds of King Munjong and his third wife, Queen Hyeondeok. Mongneung (목릉) consists of the separate burial mounds of King Seonjo and his wives, Queen Uiin and Queen Inmok. Hwireung (휘릉) holds the remains of Queen Jangnyeol, the second wife of King Injo. Sungneung (숭릉) consists of the twin burial mounds of King Hyeonjong and his wife, Queen Myeongseong. Hyereung (혜릉) holds the remains of Queen Danui, the first wife of King Gyeongjong. Wolleung (원릉) consists of the twin burial mounds of King Yeongjo and his second wife, Queen Jeongsun. Sureung (수릉) is the joint burial mound of Crown Prince Hyomyeong (posthumously honored as King Munjo) and his wife, Queen Sinjeong. Gyeongneung (경릉) (not to be confused with the royal tomb in Goyang) consists of the triple burial mounds of King Heonjeong and his wives, Queen Hyohyeon and Queen Hyojeong. Myeongbinmyo (명빈묘) holds the remains of Concubine Myeong, a consort of King Taejong.

Gwangneung (광릉)

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Gwangneung

37°45′08″N 127°10′38″E / 37.75222°N 127.17722°E / 37.75222; 127.17722

This site is located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. Consisting of separate burial mounds, it holds the remains of King Sejo and his wife, Queen Jeonghui. It is important due to the change taking place in royal tomb architecture, which is evident in its construction: screening rocks were not installed at this tomb; instead of an outer coffin stone, quicklime was used; another break from tradition is that the reverential access was not built; finally, only one shrine was built for both burial mounds. This change came from the last wishes of the king and reflects a new frugal style that influenced later royal tomb construction.

Heonilleung (헌인릉)

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37°27′56″N 127°04′54″E / 37.46556°N 127.08167°E / 37.46556; 127.08167

This site is located in the south of Seoul, at the bottom of the southern slope of Daemosan Mountain. Heolleung (헌릉) consists of the twin burial mounds of King Taejong and his wife, Queen Wongyeong. Situated two hundred meters to the west, Illeung (인릉) is the joint burial mound of King Sunjo and his wife, Queen Sunwon.

Hongyureung (홍유릉)

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37°37′51″N 127°12′44″E / 37.63083°N 127.21222°E / 37.63083; 127.21222

This site is located in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. The style of the two main tombs reflects the political changes experienced by Korea during the waning days of Joseon. With the declaration of the Korean Empire, the resting places of the last two rulers, Emperor Gojong and Emperor Sunjong, were designed to reflect imperial, rather than royal status. Hongneung (홍릉) (not to be confused with the royal tomb in Goyang) is the joint burial mound of Emperor Gojong and his wife, Empress Myeongseongtae. Yureung (유릉) is the joint burial mound of Emperor Sunjong and his two wives, Empress Sunmyeonghyo and Empress Sunjeonghyo; it is unique in that it holds the remains of three individuals under a single mound. Yeongwon (영원) is the joint burial mound of Yi Un (Crown Prince Uimin) and his wife, Yi Bang-ja (Princess Masako of Nashimoto).

Jangneung (Gimpo) (김포 장릉)

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37°36′47″N 126°42′40″E / 37.61306°N 126.71111°E / 37.61306; 126.71111

There are three Joseon royal tombs named Jangneung. This particular site is located in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, near the border with Incheon. Consisting of twin burial mounds, it holds the remains of Prince Jeongwon (posthumously honored as King Wonjong) and his wife, Queen Inheon; they were the parents of King Injo.

Jangneung (Paju) (파주 장릉)

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37°46′25″N 126°42′29″E / 37.77361°N 126.70806°E / 37.77361; 126.70806

This site is located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, near the confluence of the Imjin and Han rivers, where the Osusan Observatory overlooks North Korea. Consisting of a joint burial mound, it holds the remains of King Injo and his first wife, Queen Inyeol.

Jangneung (Yeongwol) (영월 장릉)

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37°11′51″N 128°27′11″E / 37.19750°N 128.45306°E / 37.19750; 128.45306

This site is located in Yeongwol County, Gangwon Province, and is the furthest from the capital. It holds the remains of King Danjong.

Jeongneung (정릉)

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37°36′08″N 127°00′21″E / 37.60222°N 127.00583°E / 37.60222; 127.00583

Not to be confused with the royal tomb in southern Seoul. This site is also located in Seoul, but on the slopes of Bukhansan Mountain. It holds the remains of Queen Sindeok, the second wife of King Taejo.

Olleung (온릉)

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37°43′13″N 126°57′04″E / 37.72028°N 126.95111°E / 37.72028; 126.95111

This site is located in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, just to the north of the Capital Region First Ring Expressway's Songchu Interchange. It holds the remains of Queen Dangyeong, the first wife of King Jungjong.

Samneung (삼릉)

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37°51′33″N 126°47′06″E / 37.85917°N 126.78500°E / 37.85917; 126.78500

This cluster (lit. ''Three Tombs'') is located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Gongneung (공릉), holds the remains of Queen Jangsun, the first wife of King Yejong. Sulleung (술릉) holds the remains of Queen Gonghye, the first wife of King Seongjong and Queen Jangsun's younger sister. Yeongneung (영릉) (not to be confused with the royal tomb in Yeoju) consists of the twin burial mounds of Crown Prince Hyojang (who was posthumously honored as King Jinjong) and his wife, Queen Hyosun.

Sareung (사릉)

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Seonjeongneung (선정릉)

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Seolleung

37°30′32″N 127°02′57″E / 37.50889°N 127.04917°E / 37.50889; 127.04917

This site is located in southern Seoul, 0.34 km from Seolleung Station. Seolleung (선릉) consists of the twin burial mounds of King Seongjong and his third wife, Queen Jeonghyeon. Jeongneung (정릉) (not to be confused with the royal tomb on the slopes of Bukhansan Mountain, also in Seoul) holds the remains of King Jungjong.

Seooreung (서오릉)

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37°37′33″N 126°53′55″E / 37.62583°N 126.89861°E / 37.62583; 126.89861

This cluster (lit. ''Five Western Tombs'') is located in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Gyeongneung (경릉) (not to be confused with the royal tomb in Guri) consists of the separate burial mounds of Crown Prince Uigyeong (posthumously honored as King Deokjong), and his wife, Queen Sohye (better known as Queen Insu). Changneung (창릉) consists of the separate burial mounds of King Yejong and his second wife, Queen Ansun. Ingneung (익릉) holds the remains of Queen Ingyeong, the first wife of King Sukjong. Myeongneung (명릉) consists of the twin burial mounds of King Sukjong and his second wife, Queen Inhyeon, and the separate burial mound of his third wife, Queen Inwon. Hongneung (홍릉) (not to be confused with the royal tomb in Namyangju) holds the remains of Queen Jeongseong, the first wife of King Yeongjo. Sunchangwon (순창원) is the joint burial mound of Crown Prince Sunhoe and Crown Princess Gonghoe. Daebinmyo (대빈묘) holds the remains of Concubine Hui, a consort of King Sukjong and the biological mother of King Gyeongjong. Sugyeongwon (수경원) holds the remains of Concubine Yeong, a consort of King Yeongjo and the biological mother of Crown Prince Sado.

Seosamneung (서삼릉)

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37°39′50″N 126°52′02″E / 37.66389°N 126.86722°E / 37.66389; 126.86722

This cluster (lit. ''Three Western Tombs'') is located in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Hwireung (휘릉) holds the remains of Queen Janggyeong, the second wife of King Jungjong. Hyoreung (효릉) consists of the twin burial mounds of King Injong and his wife, Queen Inseong. Yereung (예릉) consists of the twin burial mounds of King Cheoljong and his wife, Queen Cheorin. Hoemyo (회묘) holds the remains of Queen Yun, the second wife of King Seongjong and Yeonsangun's mother. Sogyeongwon (소경원) holds the remains of Crown Prince Sohyeon. Uiryeongwon (의령원) holds the remains of Crown Prince Uiso. Hyochangwon (효창원) holds the remains of Crown Prince Munhyo.

The cluster encompasses over fifty tombs and serves as resting place for many other princes and princesses, as well as three of King Jeongjo's consorts (Concubine Ui, Concubine Won, and Concubine Hwa), and a consort of King Heonjong (Concubine Gyeong).

Additionally, monuments built to house the royal placenta and umbilical cords (known as taesil), which had once been scattered all over Korea, have also been gathered here.

Taegangneung (태강릉)

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37°45′08″N 127°10′38″E / 37.75222°N 127.17722°E / 37.75222; 127.17722

This site is located in eastern Seoul. Taereung (태릉) holds the remains of Queen Munjeong, the third wife of King Jungjong. Gangneung (강릉) consists of the twin burial mounds of King Myeongjong and his wife, Queen Insun.

Uireung (의릉)

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37°36′13″N 127°03′25″E / 37.60361°N 127.05694°E / 37.60361; 127.05694

This site is located in northern Seoul. Consisting of separate burial mounds, it holds the remains of King Gyeonjong and his second wife, Queen Seonui.

Yeongnyeongneung (영녕릉)

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Yeongneung

37°18′25″N 127°36′11″E / 37.30694°N 127.60306°E / 37.30694; 127.60306

This site is located in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. Yeongneung (영릉) (not to be confused with the royal tomb in Paju) consists of the joint burial mound of King Sejong and his wife, Queen Soheon.[5] Nyeongneung (녕릉) consists of the separate burial mounds of King Hyojong and his wife, Queen Inseon.

Yunggeolleung (융건릉)

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Geolleung

37°12′44″N 126°59′26″E / 37.21222°N 126.99056°E / 37.21222; 126.99056

This site is located within a park in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. Yungneung (융릉) is the joint burial mound of Crown Prince Sado (posthumously honored as King Jangjo) and his wife, Queen Heongyeong (better known as Lady Hyegyeong). Geolleung (건릉) is the joint burial mound of King Jeongjo and his wife, Queen Hyoui.

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty – UNESCO World Heritage Centre)". UNESCO. Retrieved 2010-10-22.
  2. 1 2 "A Trip to Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty : Public Gardens for the Living and the Dead in the Vicinity of Seoul". English.visitkorea.or.kr. Archived from the original on 2014-02-04. Retrieved 2013-07-12.
  3. ↑ "Royal Tombs to Be Listed as World Heritage Site". The Chosun Ilbo. 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2015-11-24.
  4. ↑ Official Site of Korea Tourism Org.: The 40 Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Visitkorea.or.kr. Retrieved on 2013-07-12.
  5. ↑ Korea Tourism Organization (July 13, 2011). "Queen Soheon". Plan your trip Korea: Tour courses for international tourists. 길잡이미디어. p. 31. GGKEY:TFU8B87WQG3.
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