UNESCO's Joseon Tombs

The Joseon Dynasty began in 1392 and lasted for 519 years. Rarely have any of the world’s royal dynasties lasted for over half a thousand years, but what is even more surprising is that the tombs of all the kings and queens of the Joseon dynasty have been preserved until the present day. The roads to the royal tombs lead travelers to an auspicious place. The sites of the royal tombs were carefully selected by Feng Shui experts, and the landscape, structures, and architecture surrounding the tombs combined to produce the highest art form of the time. The premises of the royal tombs are surrounded by mountains, bodies of water, and grass lawns and covered by old pine trees. Royal tomb sites are picturesque and places to relax and escape from the bustle of the city. The royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty were built to honor the spirits of the dead monarchs and to allow them to rest peacefully. Therefore, they are peaceful public gardens for both the living and the dead. On your trip to Korea, be sure to pay a visit to these unique royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty, which are now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.


Structure of Royal Tombs

The forty royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty have been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tombs all have similar shapes, and the stone structures and buildings also follow certain styles. Here is an introduction to the tombs’ basic structures and names, so you can enjoy your visit to the sites even more. The organization of the royal tomb sites can be broken down into three parts:

● The part around the Jeongjagak, which is the meeting point between the dead and the living (the area outside Hongsalmun Gate is the space for the living);

● The area just past the gate, which contains the Jeongjagak shrine, the Subokbang, and the Suragan buildings. This is a space of the earthly and the holy as this is where the spirits of the kings and queens meet with their worshipers;

● The sacred ground of the grave mound, the wall, and the stone structures.

1. Gokjang (곡장): Three sides of walls around the grave mound that protects the sacred ground.
2. Bongbun (봉분): The place where the deceased king or queen is buried. It is also called Neungchim (능침) or Neungsang (능상).
3. Byeongpungseok (병풍석): The stone support underneath and around the Bongbun, which protects it.
4. Nanganseok (난간석): The hedge-like stone outside Byeongpungseok, which protects the Bongbun.
5. Seokho (석호): Guardian deity made of stone in the shape of a tiger, which was erected to protect the Bongbun. The statue faces outwards.
6. Seogyang (석양): A sheep made of stone, which was erected to pray for the repose of the soul and fend off evil spirits from the earth.
7. Mangjuseok (망주석): A pair of stone pillars, which were erected on both sides of the front of the mound.
8. Honnyuseok (혼유석): The name means a stone that invites the soul to come out to play, this rectangular stone was erected in front of the mound.
9. Jangmyeongdeung (장명등): A lantern to comfort the soul and pray for its blessing.
10. Muninseok (문인석): Scholars made of stone erected on the left and right sides of the Jangmyeongdeung lantern.
11. Muinseok (무인석): Military officer made of stone, which was erected below Muninseok for guarding the king.
12. Seongma (석마): Horse made of stone.
13. Yegam (예감): This place was used for burning the written prayer following the memorial services. It is located behind Jeongjagak on the left side.
14. Bigak (비각): This building contains a stone monument, which has the name of the king and the queen engraved on the front and a list of the king’s accomplishments engraved on the back.
15. Jeongjagak (정자각): Memorial services are held in this building. The name of the building comes from its shape, which is the Chinese character Jeong (丁). The building should be entered by the right stairway (East) and exited by the left stairway (West).
16. Chamdo (참도): These stone covered paths lead from the Hongsalmun gate to the Jeongjagak building. The path to the left that is slightly higher is called Sindo (신도), or Path of the Gods; the path to the right that is slightly lower is called Eodo (어도), or the Path of the King. In accordance with Korean customs, visitors should walk only on the Eodo path.
17. Subokbang (수복방): This building is where the officer guarding the tomb lived.
18. Suragan (수라간): This building is where the foods for the memorial services were brought and prepared.
19. Baewi (배위): Next to the Hongsalmun gate are stones, which have been placed in a rectangle, this was where kings and memorial service officials knelt to honor and pray to the king buried in the tomb. It is also called Panwi (판위) or Eobaeseok (어배석).
20. Hongsalmun (홍살문): The gate has two red cylindrical pillars with no roof. The area past the gate is a sacred area, so visitors are asked to behave respectfully.