[2025 SEMU-YÉOL LECTURE] October 23
Hanyang, the City of Rituals
Lecturer: Dr. Sunghee Kim
Research Fellow at the National Institute of Korean History
When the Joseon dynasty selected Hanyang as its capital, it adopted the city-planning principles prescribed in the Confucian classic Zhouli (Rites of Zhou)—namely, “with the ancestral temple on the left and the altar of soil and grain on the right, with the court in front and the market behind”—as the key layout principle. In practice, Gyeongbokgung Palace was placed at the center, with the Jongmyo Shrine to the east and the Sajik Altar to the west, while the main government offices were arranged south of the palace, along Yukjo Street in front of Gwanghwamun. This embodied in Hanyang the spatial order of a royal capital as legitimized by Confucian classics. Among these, the ritual spaces that made royal authority visible came to symbolize the state itself and were revered as sacred throughout the Joseon period.
Beyond such state ritual spaces, in the year following Joseon’s founding, King Taejo commanded that mountain spirits of Baegaksan (the guardian mountain) and Namsan (the guide mountain) be enfeoffed and worshiped. This reflected the tradition of mountain veneration, in which major mountains were endowed with sacredness and ritual offerings were made at guardian mountains of the capital and provincial towns.
In this way, Seoul—the modern capital of the Republic of Korea—still preserves ritual spaces where important rites of the past dynasty were performed. Through them, we can glimpse aspects of the ritual life of Hanyang’s residents. This lecture will explore the diverse ritual practices that once unfolded in the capital.
Dr. Sunghee Kim holds the position of Research Fellow at the National Institute of Korean History and is also a dedicated educator at the Graduate School of Dongguk University, where he imparts his knowledge of history. Dr. Kim's expertise lies in delving into the socio-political landscape of the Joseon Dynasty, illuminating the intricate fabric of its time. Through his extensive research, he endeavors to unravel the lives and experiences of Joseon people, offering insights into the sentiments and thoughts that resonate with Koreans today. Moreover, Dr. Kim is passionate about sharing the rich history and vibrant culture of Seoul with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Directions
Venue
Audiovisual Room (2nd Floor), Seoul Museum of History
(55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
For this month only, the venue will be the audiovisual room on the 2nd floor.
Date and Time
October 23, 2025 (Thu)
10:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M
Fee
No Admission Fee.
Contact
Email: info@yeol.org
Web: http://www.yeol.org
Tel: 010.2492.6851 (Text Only)
[Click] register on this link: https://forms.gle/byCkadU346jcCy3V7
(*first reserved 30 people)