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1. The History The Royal Ancestal enshrines the tablets of successive kings and queens of Chosun and those who were posthumously enthroned where sacrificial rites were performed. The Shrine was constructed in 1394 when the founder of Chosun Dynasty King TaeJo moved his capital city from Songdo(present Kaesung) to Hanyang (Seoul) in a ten-month period from December 1394 to September the following year. The Shrine was continously expanded as the number of deceased kings and queens increased. Today the shole complex is called Chongmyo, Royal Ancestral Shrine, but originally only the Main Hall(Chungjun) was called Chongmyo and a smaller building constructed in the reign of King Sejong(reign 1418~1450) was called Yongnyongjon(Hall of Eternal Peace). The Main Hall enshrines 49 tablets in 19 cubicles and the Kongshindang (Hall of Meritorious Retainers) 83 tablets of those who gace prominent service to the dynasty. Chongmyo is an important cultural monument which transmits to posterity the ethical and moral values of the Chosun Dynasty which espoused the cause of loyalty and filial poety of Confucianism as its basic ideology. 2. The Buildings There are in the Chongmyo Shrine many buildings including the Main Hall and the Hall of Eternal Peace, the Chonsachung where sacrifical vessels are preserved, Akkongchung where musicians rehearsed rutual music, the Hall of Meritorious Retainers, the Hyangdaechung where sacrificial food is prepared and the Subokpang where lower administrative officials resided. The Main Hall was built in a simple style but it is longest wooden building in Korea with the Moon Terrace in the front. It represents the shrine architecture of Korea with dignity and majesty. 3. The Site The Site was selected according to the Chinese plan of the Zhou Dynasty; The Sajiktan Altar west of the main palace of Kyongbokkung and the Chongmyo east of the palace. Since Chongmyo was the house of spirits, it has different topographical features than other palace buildings where the royalty resided; the auspicious site for the latter must have auspacious area with a wide-opening in the front, while that for the former a compact and narrow area therefore the Main Hall and the Hall of Eternal Peace are wurrounded by two mounds. 4. Sacrificial Rites The Sacrificial Rites were dicided into 3 categories during the Chosun Dynasty. The sacrificial rites at the Chongmyo and the Sajiktan Altar were the first category of rites were performed by the king in person. In former days the sacrificial rites performed 5 times a year. One in each season and in the 12th month at the Main Hall. However, rites at the Hall of Eternal Peace was performed on different days than those at the Main Hall, twice a year in spring and autumn. The rites were temporarily suspended after 1945 until 197 when the Yi clan of Chongju recontinued then. They are now held on the first Sunday of each May. The rites are designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 55. 
5. Sacrificial Music Sacrificial music refers to that performed during the sacrificial rites. The music used during the rites are Potaepyung and Chongdaepo which were composed by King Sejong. He wished to be performed at royal banquets and sacrificial rites. But he faced opposition from his courtiers who insisted on using Chinese music. In 1464, King Sejo, the son of Sejong, simplified the pieces composed by his father and the music(Potaepyong and Chongdaepo were performed only at sacrificial rites) Potaepyong is a music in praise of civil virtues of successive kings and Chongdaepo on praise of the military virtues of kings. Akchang is a music in praise of the virtues of ancestors. This music is performed along with a dance called Palilmu by 64 dancers. The sacrificial music has a long history and artistic value, a very important musical heritage which has preserved a Korea's tradition of classical music. This music is designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 1. |