Jongmyo Temple - World Cultural Heritage in Korea

Unesco's Science, Education and Culture Organization recognized Korea's Jongmyo Temple as a World Cultural Heritage in 1995.

Jongmyo is a royal temple , where the relics and memorial tombs for the kings and queens were under Joseon Dynasty . Jongmyo temple also has great religious significance because it is built from Confucian point of view. Since the Joseon Dynasty began to be influenced by Confucian ideology, political activities under this dynasty have also been expanded and changed compared to previous periods. Jongmyo Temple was also built after Confucian thought began to be applied during the Joseon Dynasty. Therefore, this is the oldest temple of the Korean Royal with Confucian values ​​preserved to this day.

This temple was built exclusively for characters in the royal Joseon Dynasty (1329-1910). The current architecture and landscape of the temple has been renovated since the 16th century. At Jongmyo temple, there is also an extremely important decree which is a rite of music conclusion with lyrics and dance as a form of worship. worship ancestors . This rite has been preserved and inherited throughout the 14th century until now.

Jongmyo Temple with Korean people is a symbolic royal temple. This temple also shows the history and status of each royal character. Not only that, Jongmyo temple is also the place where the king regularly visits and burns incense as well as participating in memorial rites to the ancestors, and praying for the national security and prosperity to the king. nation and its people.

It can be said that Jongmyo Temple is the oldest temple of Confucian influence. But not only for that reason, Jongmyo Temple is highly appreciated. In addition to the meanings of religion, historical and cultural values, Jongmyo Temple is also a beautiful and high-value architecture .

The first time the temple was built was in the 14th century, but unfortunately the temple was destroyed during the Japanese invasion in the 16th century. At the end of the 16th and early centuries 17, the temple was renovated and expanded to scale as well as building a few more buildings. The current image of Jongmyo Temple has been preserved since that renovation.

Overall, Jongmyo Temple was built in an oval campus with a total area of ​​19.4 hectares. The selected temple location is located in the middle of the valley, surrounded by low hills. In addition, there are some artificial landscapes built to create a perfect complex of temples and tombs in terms of geographical position as well as artistic architecture for the characters of the royal family and the public. architecture in the temple compound.

Jongmyo Temple has many architectural works and although any project is designed and built with beautiful architecture, there are main and important works to mention such as: Jeongjeon Main Temple; auxiliary temple Yeongnyeongjeon; a wooden house built to rest king called Mangmyon ; The building stores appliances to perform the rituals of Hyangdaecheong .

In total, Jongmyo temple has 19 memorial areas that are home to dogs of 49 kings and queens of the Joseon royal family. The main building in Jongmyo Temple is also the longest wooden building in Korea so far.

The tradition and ritual of Jongmyo Temple called Jongmyo Jerye has been maintained since the 14th century until now, although there was a period of time between 1945 and 1970. This ritual is a combination of music rituals and dances held on certain days to commemorate the ancestors. This ritual is usually held once a year in the great hall and twice a year at Yeongnyeongjeon. Usually the first Sunday of the month will be chosen as the day of the ceremony. All these rituals are meticulously recorded in royal books and documents. During this ceremony, participants will hear and sing songs praising the king's merit, traditional dances . This ritual is not only an important part of Jongmyo temple history but also Korea's national intangible cultural heritage .

Jongmyo Temple was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage by the Unesco (iv): Jongmyo Temple is a concrete demonstration of Confucian influence in the construction of the royal ancestral worship place. This temple has been preserved quite intact since the 16th century until now and is of high historical and religious value as well as the value of architecture and traditional ritual forms.