Hwangudan

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Hwangudan
Temple of Heaven Seoul2.jpg
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationHwan(-)gudan
McCune–ReischauerHwan'gudan

Hwangudan Altar, located in Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea, was built in 1897 to serve as a site for the performance of the rite of heaven. The site was also known by other names, such as Wongudan (원구단, 圜丘壇), Jecheondan (제천단, 祭天壇) and Wondan (원단, 圜壇).[1] Hwangudan was designated South Korea's Historic Site No. 157 on July 15, 1967.

History[]

Korean monarchs sacrificed to Heaven during the Three Kingdoms and Goryeo periods.[2][3] The practice was Confucianized with the adoption of the round altar ritual by Seongjong of Goryeo in 983.[3] The round altar ritual was restricted to Sons of Heaven.[3] Goryeo monarchs sacrificed to Heaven until 1385;[2] they sacrificed to Heaven during the period of Mongol domination in Korea.[3]

King Sejo of Joseon briefly restarted the rite but stopped the practice in the tenth year of his reign in 1464 because the rite could only be performed by the son of heaven - the Ming emperor and Joseon was a tributary state to Ming. The ritual was restarted again when King Gojong proclaimed the Korean Empire in 1897 after the First Sino-Japanese War, but it was subsequently abolished by the Japanese colonial government in 1910. The Gocheonje ritual was revived in 2002 with the intention of annual performance as a revival of Korean cultural heritage.

Architecture[]

The altar complex before destruction

Hwangudan was built in 1897 following the Ming ritual tradition. The site of the complex sat between Namsan and Bukhansan, and was considered highly auspicious by geomancers. The altar complex was also designed to mimic natural elements such as the sun and moon. It was a three-story altar made of granite and was used for animal sacrifice. The top center of the altar held a conical yellow-roofed building. The altar was destroyed by the Japanese in 1913.

Hwanggungu

Today, the Hwanggungu (hwang-gung-u, 皇穹宇, Imperial Vault of Heaven), a three-storied octagonal shrine built in 1899, remains at the site. The Hwanggungu, built on the north side of the altar complex, was designed for the worship of Heaven and respecting Taejo, the founder of Joseon. Along with the Hwanggungu, there are several other surviving relics such as the three stone drums (Seokgodan, 石鼓壇) featuring dragon decorations completed in 1902 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Gojong's enthronement, the gate leading to Hwanggungu, and the main entrance into the complex.

The imperial Japanese built the Railroad Chosen Hotel in the area where they had demolished Hwangudan Altar. In 1968, that hotel was demolished and the Westin Chosun Hotel was built in its place. The Hwanggungu still stands in the hotel complex today and although it is not a well known tourist site, it is popular with the guests of the hotel.

  • Main entrance into the complex, Westin Chosun Hotel seen in background.

  • Gate leading to Hwanggungu.

  • View of the gate from Hwanggungu. Note its proximity to the Westin Chosun Hotel.

  • Three stone drums commemorating the 40th anniversary of Gojong's enthronement.

Gallery[]

  • View of Hwanggungu from the Chosen Hotel.

  • A photograph of the site labeled 'Temple of Heaven, Seoul'.

  • Hwanggungu in 1925.

  • Hwanggungu in 2011.

  • Hwanggungu at night.

  • Wongudan Gate, Seoul.jpg

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Cyber Tour into Cultutural Properties
  2. ^ a b 홍순민. 원구단천제(圜丘壇天祭). Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture (in Korean). National Folk Museum of Korea. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d 김태영. (1) 원구제. History Net (in Korean). National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 29 October 2021.

External links[]

Coordinates: 37°33′54.19″N 126°58′47.46″E / 37.5650528°N 126.9798500°E / 37.5650528; 126.9798500

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