C M Y K 은색 ISSN 2005-0151 Winter 2008 Vol. 1 No. 3 Winter 2008 Vol. 1 No. 3 Vol. Quarterly Magazine of the Cultural Heritage Administration Winter 2008 Vol. 1 No. 3 CoverCover StoryStory BlackBlack symbolizessymbolizes thethe winterwinter teratiterati painter painter and and calligrapher calligrapher andand thethe north.north. TheThe symbolismsymbolism ofof thethe latelate JoseonJoseon period.period. TheThe derivesderives fromfrom thethe fivefive colorscolors horizontallyhorizontally elongatedelongated scenescene thatthat representrepresent thethe fivefive eleele-- hashas aa thatchedthatched huthut flankedflanked byby Winter 2008 Vol. 1 No. 3 mentsments ofof universeuniverse inin thethe tratra-- talltall pinepine andand pinepine nutnut trees,trees, ditionalditional AsianAsian philosophyphilosophy (see(see depicteddepicted inin simplesimple brushbrush pagepage 4).4). TheThe covercover designdesign feafea-- strokes.strokes. TheThe colophoncolophon says,says, turestures “A“A WinterWinter Scene”Scene” ((SeSe-- “It’s“It’s onlyonly thethe coldcold spellspell thatthat handohando),), aa representativerepresentative workwork bringsbrings thethe recognitionrecognition thethe byby Kim Kim Jeong-hui Jeong-hui (1786-1856), (1786-1856), pinepine andand pinepine nutnut treestrees witherwither aa famousfamous scholar-official,scholar-official, lili-- laterlater thanthan others.”others.” KOERANKOREAN HERITAGEHERITAGE isis alsoalso availableavailable onon thethe website.website. (( http://english.cha.go.krhttp://english.cha.go.kr )) 3 | 4 ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTE WORD ON THE COVER DESIGN Cooperation for Returning Displaced Cultural Properties Colors of the Five Cardinal Directions This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Intergovernmental Committee Koreans have traditionally believed that the five cardinal directions for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or and their symbolic colors influenced their lives. Based on the tra- its Restitution in case of Illicit Appropriation. We are pleased to host “The ditional Chinese philosophy of Wu Xing (Ohaeng in Korean), all ICPRCP Extraordinary Session in Celebration of its 30th Anniversary: Its natural phenomena, including human life, were seen to interact and Past and Future” in Seoul to review the committee’s activities over the past change in a cycle of phases under the influence of directional ener- three decades and plan its future agenda. gies, each with a set of associations, such as colors, seasons and shapes. Cultural properties promote intergenerational understanding and enrich national history. They have the power to consolidate the bond among gen- erations through the endeavors to properly preserve the spiritual legacy of forebears. The ICPRCP was founded in 1978 with a view to returning these cultural properties to countries where they were created. East was associated with blue, wood, spring, and the power to chase evil spirits and invoke blessings; west was identified with white, It is our common wisdom that “the past opens our eyes to see the present, and metal, autumn, and innocence, truth and purity; north was symbol- the present offers us guidance to look ahead to the future.” In this regard, the ized in black, water, winter, and wisdom; south was represented by Seoul session will be a valuable opportunity for the committee to reflect on red, fire, summer, passion and creativity. Last but not least, yellow its past records and chart its course for the future. stood for the center or zenith, and change of seasons. I firmly believe that the committee will be able to build an even more sol- These five colors permeated Korean folk life. They were broadly id bridge of international exchange and cooperation to connect the parties applied in clothes, architecture, handicrafts, amulets and various which own cultural properties and those who request their repatriation. objects for everyday use, remaining indelible in Korean aesthetics until nowadays. Yi, Kun Moo Administrator Cultural Heritage Administration Republic of Korea 5 | 6 Winter 2008 Vol. 1 No. 3 CONTENTS 07 World Heritage in Korea 27 Photo Gallery Hwaseong Embodies Reformist Ideals of Joseon Monarch Famous Scenic Spots in Korea, Seongnagwon 13 Korean Traditional Architecture 35 Foreigner’s View Frank Lloyd Wright Enticed by Korean Floor Heating System Sinseon Paintings on Temple Walls 17 Natural Heritage 39 A Brush with Lively Touch Pioneer Plants on Dokdo Islets Colorful Tomb Murals Recreate the Lives and Faiths of Goguryeo People 23 The King and Pagodas 47 Intangible Heritage Romantic Legend about King Mu and Stone Pagodas of Traditional Childbirth Customs and Symbolism of Mireuksa Temple Ritual Foods World Heritage in Korea 7 | 8 Hwaseong Embodies Reformist Ideals of Joseon Monarch Text by Kwon Sam-yun | history traveler and World Heritage researcher Photos by Shim Hwan-geun / Lee Sang-hee The Korean noun seong comprises a rather immediately ordered the construction of a new 1. A walkway along the stone rampart of Hwaseong broad category of classical architectures and town in the vicinity. The king envisioned a public works facilities, ranging from the Great thriving new city where “every household is Wall of China to the New Swan Stone Castle of rich and affluent, and every individual amica- Germany. Hwaseong Fortress, one of Korea’s ble and joyous.” Construction lasted two years proudest historical monuments, is yet another and 10 months and was completed in 1796. type of seong. The name means “brilliant for- Hwaseong was designed with a wholly new tress” but it actually is a walled city, compa- concept. It was intended to be a non-political, rable to the Old City of Jerusalem. commercial city, distinguished from mountain Hwaseong: Construction of New Town fortresses that provided temporary shelter in times of crisis. Hwaseong would be a well- Most history buffs instantly associate King defended city, where its residents could stay Jeongjo (r. 1776-1800), the 22nd ruler of the permanently, keeping their personal assets and Joseon Dynasty, with the tragic death of his fa- industrial facilities as safe in times of war as ther, Crown Prince Sado, that he witnessed at in times of peace. Hence, a variety of defen- a young age. The childhood memory and his sive features such as parapets and spiral towers deep affection for his parents had a dominant were added to the town wall. influence on the erudite king for the rest of his Jeong Yak-yong, a young intellectual who life and his governance. The construction of would later lead the school of Practical Learn- a new town named Hwaseong to the south of ing (Sirhak), played a prominent role in the the capital epitomized his goal of consolidating planning and building of Hwaseong. Most no- royal power and rebuilding the nation, which tably, Jeong devised cranes and pulleys under was waning amid factional strife among pow- the royal orders to create devices to lift heavy erful aristocrats. construction material. It is no surprise that King Jeongjo moved his father’s tomb from the Jeong, who advocated learning Western science eastern suburbs of the capital to the mountain and technology through Qing China, referred at the back of Suwon, reputed to be the most to the German scientist and Jesuit missionary 1 auspicious burial site in the country. Then he Johannes Terrenz’s book, “Collected Diagrams World Heritage in Korea 9 | 10 3. Hwahongmun, the northern floodgate, and 2. Janganmun, the main Banghwasuryujeong, an gate of Hwaseong, faces the exquisite pavilion standing north toward the capital. 2 3 on a nearby hill and Explanations of the Wonderful Machines cient city gates is that it is shielded by a semi- a rather long name evoking poetic feelings, ers with distinctive appearances, one to the from the Far West” (Wonseo gigi doseol, or Yu- circular chemise protruding to the outside and Banghwasuryujeong, literally the “pavilion northeast and one to the northwest. They are anxi qiqi tushuo in Chinese). These machines flanked by guard platforms on either side. The for seeking flowers and following willows.” It called Gongsimdon, meaning “empty spiral saved enormous manpower in transporting and brick-built chemise with parapet walks and overlooks the dragon pond underneath the hill. tower.” Built of stone and brick and topped piling up bricks and stones. machicolations keeps any curious outsiders The floodgate, the pavilion and the pond form by a pavilion-type wooden superstructure, from approaching. Hwaseong’s most popular scenic spot. these three-story towers have gun embrasures Harmony of Magnificence and Precision arranged alternately to be used for observing From Janganmun, one can see the gently curv- What was the idea behind creating this lyrical Hwaseong’s 5.7km wall stretches over chang- enemy movements and firing arms. They have ing wall embrace the current urban center of interval in a military stronghold? The answer ing terrain. It runs from mountain ridges over- wooden floors, spiral ladders and banquettes on Suwon with some 3,000 private homes. Stand- could be found from the statement by Chae Je- looking the crowded urban center of present- the wall inside. The northeastern tower, located ing out from among these homes is a detached gong, the chief state councilor who supervised day Suwon to a flatland park with well-tended palace of Joseon, where King Jeongjo hosted between Changnyeongmun, the east gate, and lawn and a bustling marketplace in a densely the work. When the main ridge beam of the the famous 60th birthday party of his mother,