Intersting point of Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul, Korea
Main Palace of Chosun Dynasty
Chosun Dynasty
Part of Korean History, established in 1392 and collapsed in 1910. Chosun moved capital from Gaegyeong to Hanyang in 1394. Chosun Dynasty built 5 royal palaces. Gyeongbokgung palace is the biggest one and a main palace among 5 palaces.
Here i introduce few things about Gyeongbokgung palace.
Basic information
It was built in 1395 and was built in the place where it is surrounded by four mountains in the four cardinal direction.
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| Gyeongbokgung palace is sourrouded by 4 mountains. |
Northern Mountain Shelter the palace from cold north wind siberia during winter. This place is considered best place according to fengshui. It is also considered as natural fortress. But this palace burned down in 1592 because of the war against Japan.
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| 26th king rebuilt palace in 1867, it might be like the picture above. |
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| Most buildings of palace were demolished by Japanese. |
Few buildings we can see now were build in 1867 and some buildings were actually built within few years. Now Korean government continues to restore the palace.
Imaginary Beast : Haechi
In Gyeongbokgung palace, it's east to see stone statue of Haechi which is an imaginery animal. This animal is known that it can distinguish between right and wrong, so every government officials touched its tale before they enter the palace.
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| Haechi at the main gate of palace From : https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?oid=033&aid=0000042768 |
It means it could remind officials of doing right. And it was belived that this animal can prevent fire. Seoul designated this animal as mascot of city in 2008.
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| Seoul Taxi |
Drawing that every korean people love
When we reach at Geunjeongjeon, we need to look inside of this building, cause there is one interesting drawing.
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| Geunjeongjeon From : http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/ |
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| Inside of Geunjeongjeon From : http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/ |
That is calles <Sun and Moon and Five Peaks> in English.
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| Sun, Moon and Five Peaks |
It is placed just behind of the King's seat. Like the english name, we can see sun, moon and five peaks. There are many interpretation on this drawing. Anyway this drawing was always placed at the behind of king's seat in the place and outside of palace, even when king went to rural area. In moderndays, we can see this drawing in many place. Then why i said every korean love this drawing. Because most korean people see this drawing on something that we use everyday and we want to have as much as possible. That is korean currency 10,000 won
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| Sun and Moon and Five Peaks on Korean Currency 10,000 won |
Kings didn't have private life
Resting place of king is called Gangnyeongjeon.
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| Gangnyeongjeon From : http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/ |
we can see wooden floor at the middle of building. Both side there are many rooms. each side there are 9 rooms. its structure is like hash tag, 9 rooms.
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| Rooms in King's resting place |
Kings slept in the middle room. In other rooms, few court ladies always observed king's movement and protected kings. Even when king slept with court ladies.
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