Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
Encyclopedia
The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty refers to the 40 tombs
of members of the Korean
Joseon Dynasty
(1392-1910). These tombs are scattered in over 18 locations across South Korea
. They were built to honour and respect the ancestors and their achievements, and assert their royal authority. The tombs have been registered as a UNESCO
World Heritage site since 2009.
and their wives, as well as the parents of royalty, were interred in won-type tombs. The royal tombs are scattered over 18 locations, with many of them located 40 kilometers from Hanseong (present-day Seoul
). Indeed, the Jangneung tomb is in Yeongwol
, Gangwon-do
, while the Yeongneung tombs are in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do
. Tombs were made for individuals as well as family groups. There are 40 neung-type and 13 won-type tombs, thus creating a total of 53 royal tombs.
Joseon-era royal tombs followed the guidelines outlined in Chinese Confucian texts, such as the Book of Rites (Li Ji) and the Rites of Zhou
(Zhou Li). Many factors went into consideration when deciding the location of a tomb, such as the distance from Hanyang
, the distance in relation to other royal tombs, the accessibility of the location, and Korean traditions of pungsu (geomancy
). The tomb construction also took into account traditional burial rituals of Korea and the natural environment.
There now follows a list (in alphebatical order) of the individual (or clusters of) tombs. There are two more royal tombs from the Joseon Dynasty in Kaesong
, North Korea
, namely Jereung (제릉) (the tomb of Queen Sinui, who was King Taejo's
first consort) and Hureung (후릉) (the tomb of King Jeongjong
and Queen Jeongan).
This cluster of tombs represents the best sample of royal family group tombs from the Joseon Dynasty. Seven kings and ten queens are interred in nine neung-type tombs. Notable tombs in this group include the Geonwolleung tomb (건원릉) for King Taejo
, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The Gyeongneung tomb (경릉) holds the remains of King Hyeonjong
, who ruled from 1834 to 1849, and his wives Queen Hyohyeon and Queen Hyojeong. This group of tombs represents the evolution of Joseon-style tomb architecture over a period of five hundred years. The other tombs in the cluster are named Hyereung (혜릉), Hwirung (휘릉), Mongneung (목릉), Sungneung (숭릉), Sureung (수릉) and Wolleung (원릉). This cluster is situated on the west bank of the Wangsukcheon Stream in the city of Guri
, Gyeonggi
Province.
Gwangneung is a pair of tombs in Namyangju
City, Gyeonggi
Province. The tombs, arranged in a V shape, contain the remains of King Sejo
and his wife Queen Jeonghui. The two tombs were built in 1468 and 1483 respectively. Gwangneung is important because changes taking place in the construction of royal tombs are evident in its construction. Screening rocks were not installed at this tomb. Instead of an outer coffin stone, quicklime was used. Another break from tradition was that the reverential access was not built. Finally, only one T-shaped ritual shrine was built for both burial mounds. This change in tomb architecture came from the last wishes of the king and reflects a new frugal style that influenced later royal tomb construction.
Illeung: 37°27′58"N 127°04′50"E
These tombs are in the south of Seoul
, at the bottom of the southern slope of Daemosan. Heolleung is a conjoined pair of tombs, while Illeung stands alone two hundred metres to the west.
Yureung: 37°37′50"N 127°12′33"E
Yeongwon: 37°37′46"N 127°12′56"E
The styles of these two tombs reflect the political changes Korea was experiencing during the waning days of the Joseon Dynasty. With the declaration of the Korean Empire
, the style of the tombs of the last two rulers of the Joseon Dynasty, Emperor Gojong and Emperor Sunjong were designed to reflect their new status. Hongneung holds the remains of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong
. Yureung tomb holds the remains of Emperor Sunjong, Empress Sunmyeonghyo and Empress Sunjeonghyo. Other notable tombs include Yeongwon (영원), the tomb of Crown Prince Yeongwang and Crown Princess Yi Bangja. The tombs are located in the city of Namyangju
, just to the east of Seoul
.
There are three locations with Joseon tombs named Jangneung. This particular double tomb is found in Gimpo near the border with Incheon
.
This tomb is located in Paju
, near the confluence of the Rivers Imjin
and Han
, where the Osusan Observatory overlooks North Korea
..
This tomb lies in the county of Yeongwol
, Gangwon
Province. It is the furthest from capital.
Not to be confused with the more famous Jeongneung beside Seolleung or the Jeongneung area of Bukhansan, this tomb is also in Seoul
, but north of the river
.
Olleung is a tomb located in Yangju
, just to the north of the Seoul Ring Expressway's
Songchu exit.
Sulleung: 37°44′37"N 126°50′11"E
Yeongneung: 37°44′33"N 126°50′01"E
This is a cluster of three tombs named Gongneung (공릉), Sulleung (술릉) and Yeongneung (영릉), in the city of Paju
. Yeongneung, a pair of tombs, is not to be confused with King Sejong's tomb in Yeoju.
This tomb is in Namyangju
, 1.6km from Geumgok Station
.
Jeongneung: 37°30′32"N 127°03′07"E
Seolleung and Jeongneung are in the south of Seoul
. Jeongneung is not to be confused with its namesake on the southern slopes of Bukhansan, also in Seoul. The tombs are in a park, the entrance of which is 340 metres from Seolleung Station
.
Hongneung: 37°37′58"N 126°53′38"E
Gyeongneung: 37°37′47"N 126°53′38"E
Ingneung: 37°37′47"N 126°54′02"E
Myeongneung: 37°37′31"N 126°54′04"E
Daebinmyo: 37°37′49"N 126°53′32"E
Sugyeongwon: 37°37′38"N 126°54′02"E
Sunchangwon: 37°37′45"N 126°53′50"E
This is a group of tombs in Goyang
. The tombs are named Changneung (창릉) (which is a pair of tombs), Hongneung (홍릉), Gyeongneung (경릉), Ingneung (익릉) and Myeongneung (명릉) (which is a trio of tombs: one alone and another two joined as a pair). Other notable tombs here include Daebinmyo (대빈묘), Sugyeongwon (수경원) and Sunchangwon (순창원).
Hyoreung: 37°39′53"N 126°51′51"E
Yereung: 37°39′56"N 126°52′07"E
Hoimyo: 37°39′58"N 126°51′32"E
Hyochangwon: 37°39′50"N 126°52′02"E
Uiryeongwon: 37°39′50"N 126°52′02"E
The Seosamneung (lit. "Three Western Neung") tomb cluster is located in Goyang
, Gyeonggi
Province, 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) from Seoul. The name of the tombs comes from the three royal tombs' (neung) location in the western suburb of the capital. Queen Janggyeong was interred in Huineung tomb (휘릉), while Hyoreung (효릉), a joined pair of tombs, holds the remains of King Injong
and his wife Queen Insong. King Cheoljong
and Queen Cheolin are interred in Yereung (예릉), another joined pair of tombs. Fifty other tombs, most notably Hoimyo (회묘), Hyochangwon (효창원) and Uiryeongwon (의령원), holding the remains of princes, princesses, and royal concubines, are also located in this cluster. Notably, monuments in various styles built to house the royal placenta
and umbilical cords
, known as taesil, which had once been scattered all over Korea, have been gathered and now rest in this tomb cluster.
Gangneung: 37°38′24"N 127°06′19"E
Taereung and Gangneung are located in eastern Seoul
. Gangneung is a joined pair of tombs approximately a kilometre east of Taereung.
Uireung is a pair of tombs arranged in line. This tomb is in Seokgwan-dong, Seoul
.
Yeongneung (King Sejong): 37°18′29"N 127°36′11"E
These identically-named tombs lie in the west of the city of Yeoju and hold the remains of Sejong the Great and King Hyojong
. King Hyojong's tomb lies in line with the tomb of his wife, while King Sejong's stands alone.
Yungneung: 37°12′42"N 126°59′38"E
Yungneung and Geolleung
, within a park in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do
, house Crown Prince Sado and Princess Hyegyeong (posthumously named Emperor Sangjo and Empress Heongyeong, and King Jeongjo
and Queen Hyoui.
Tomb
A tomb is a repository for the remains of the dead. It is generally any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes...
of members of the Korean
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
(1392-1910). These tombs are scattered in over 18 locations across South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. They were built to honour and respect the ancestors and their achievements, and assert their royal authority. The tombs have been registered as a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage site since 2009.
The part around Jeongjagak
It is the meeting point between the dead and the living.The area around Hongsalmun gate is the space for the living.The area just past the gate
This is the space between the earthly and the holy. This is the area where the spirits of the kings and queens meet their earthly worshippers. This area also contains the Jeongjagak shrine, the Subokbang, and the Suragan buildings.The sacred ground of the grave mounds
This area also includes the wall, and the other stone structures.Other Important Structures of the Tombs
- Gokjang These are the three sides of walls around the grave mound that protects the sacred area.
- Bongbun This is where the body of the king or queen lies. It is also called Neungchim or Neungsang.
- Byeongpungseok It is the stone which was placed underneath and around to protect the Bongbun.
- Nanganseok It is the hedge-like stone which protects the Byeongpungseok.
- Seokho The tiger deity which serves as the guardian of the Bongbun.
- Seogyang A sheep statue which fends off the evil spirits from earth and prays for the souls of the departed.
- Mangjuseok This is a pair of stone pillars erected on both sides of the mound.
- Honnyuseok A rectangular stone erected in front of the mound which is believed to invite the soul to come out and play.
- Jangmyeongdeung A lantern which comforts and prays blessing over the soul.
- Muninseok Statues of scholars placed on the left and right sides of the Jangmyeongdeung lantern.
- Muinseok Statue of a soldier said to be guarding the king and is placed below the Muninseok.
- Seongma A horse statue.
- Yegam It is located on the left-side corner behind the Jeongjagak and is used for burning the wrtten prayes after a burial service.
- Bigak A building which has a stone monument where the names of the king and the queen are written at the front, while at the back was written the list of the king's accomplishments.
- Jeongjagak This is where memorial services are held.
- Chamdo These are two stone-covered paths that leads to the Jeongjagak. The higher path is called SindoSpirit wayA spirit way is the ornate road leading to a Chinese tomb of a major dignitary.The term is also sometimes translated as spirit road, spirit path or sacred way....
(The Path of the Gods), while the lower path is called Eodo (The Path Of the King). Only the Eodo path can be used by visitors in accordance to Korean custom. - Subokbang This is the living quarter of the officer guarding the tomb.
- Suragan This is where the food for the memorial services are brought and prepared.
- Baewi This is where the king and memorial service officials knelt in honor of the deceased king. It is also called Panwi or Eobaseok.
- Hongsalmun This is the gate with two red cylindrical pillars.
Tombs
The tombs are classified into two types. Tombs of the kings and queens and those posthumously granted the title of king or queen, were interred in neung-type tombs. Crown princesCrown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
and their wives, as well as the parents of royalty, were interred in won-type tombs. The royal tombs are scattered over 18 locations, with many of them located 40 kilometers from Hanseong (present-day Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
). Indeed, the Jangneung tomb is in Yeongwol
Yeongwol
Yeongwol County is a county in Gangwon Province, South Korea.-External links:*...
, Gangwon-do
Gangwon-do (South Korea)
Gangwon-do is a province of South Korea, with its capital at Chuncheon. Before the division of Korea in 1945, Gangwon and its North Korean neighbour Kangwŏn formed a single province.-History:...
, while the Yeongneung tombs are in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...
. Tombs were made for individuals as well as family groups. There are 40 neung-type and 13 won-type tombs, thus creating a total of 53 royal tombs.
Joseon-era royal tombs followed the guidelines outlined in Chinese Confucian texts, such as the Book of Rites (Li Ji) and the Rites of Zhou
Rites of Zhou
The Rites of Zhou , also known as Zhouguan, is one of three ancient ritual texts listed among the classics of Confucianism. It was later renamed Zhouli by Liu Xin to differentiate it from a chapter in the Classic of History which was also known as Zhouguan.Though tradition ascribed the text of the...
(Zhou Li). Many factors went into consideration when deciding the location of a tomb, such as the distance from Hanyang
Hanyang
Hanyang was one of the three cities that merged into modern-day Wuhan, the capital of the Hubei province, People's Republic of China. Currently, it is a district and stands between the Han River and the Yangtze River, where the former falls into the latter...
, the distance in relation to other royal tombs, the accessibility of the location, and Korean traditions of pungsu (geomancy
Geomancy
Geomancy is a method of divination that interprets markings on the ground or the patterns formed by tossed handfuls of soil, rocks, or sand...
). The tomb construction also took into account traditional burial rituals of Korea and the natural environment.
There now follows a list (in alphebatical order) of the individual (or clusters of) tombs. There are two more royal tombs from the Joseon Dynasty in Kaesong
Kaesong
Kaesŏng is a city in North Hwanghae Province, southern North Korea , a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty. The city is near Kaesŏng Industrial Region and it contains the remains of the Manwoldae palace. It was formally named Songdo while it was the...
, North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
, namely Jereung (제릉) (the tomb of Queen Sinui, who was King Taejo's
Taejo of Joseon
Taejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
first consort) and Hureung (후릉) (the tomb of King Jeongjong
Jeongjong of Joseon
King Jeongjong of Joseon , born Yi Bang-gwa, whose changed name is Yi Gyeong, was the second king of Joseon Dynasty . He was the second son of the founder and first king of the dynasty, King Taejo of Joseon....
and Queen Jeongan).
Donggureung Tomb Cluster (동구릉)
37°37′11"N 127°07′53"EThis cluster of tombs represents the best sample of royal family group tombs from the Joseon Dynasty. Seven kings and ten queens are interred in nine neung-type tombs. Notable tombs in this group include the Geonwolleung tomb (건원릉) for King Taejo
Taejo of Joseon
Taejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty. The Gyeongneung tomb (경릉) holds the remains of King Hyeonjong
Hyeonjong of Joseon
King Hyeonjong of Joseon was the 18th monarch of the Korean Joseon Dynasty, reigning from 1659 to 1675. His reign was mostly marked by heavy conflict among nation's political factions on various issues, especially on funeral issues.-Background:...
, who ruled from 1834 to 1849, and his wives Queen Hyohyeon and Queen Hyojeong. This group of tombs represents the evolution of Joseon-style tomb architecture over a period of five hundred years. The other tombs in the cluster are named Hyereung (혜릉), Hwirung (휘릉), Mongneung (목릉), Sungneung (숭릉), Sureung (수릉) and Wolleung (원릉). This cluster is situated on the west bank of the Wangsukcheon Stream in the city of Guri
Guri
Guri is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The name "Guri" is thought by some to mean "nine villages," which is reflected in the Hanja for the town. It is located immediately to the east of Seoul, in the heart of the Capital Metropolitan Area.The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty are...
, Gyeonggi
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...
Province.
Gwangneung (광릉)
37°45′08"N 127°10′38"EGwangneung is a pair of tombs in Namyangju
Namyangju
Namyangju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. To the east is Gapyeong County, to the west is Guri City, and to the north is Pocheon City.-History of Namyangju:...
City, Gyeonggi
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...
Province. The tombs, arranged in a V shape, contain the remains of King Sejo
Sejo of Joseon
Sejo of Joseon was the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He produced a coup d'etat and became king himself in 1455.-Reign:...
and his wife Queen Jeonghui. The two tombs were built in 1468 and 1483 respectively. Gwangneung is important because changes taking place in the construction of royal tombs are evident in its construction. Screening rocks were not installed at this tomb. Instead of an outer coffin stone, quicklime was used. Another break from tradition was that the reverential access was not built. Finally, only one T-shaped ritual shrine was built for both burial mounds. This change in tomb architecture came from the last wishes of the king and reflects a new frugal style that influenced later royal tomb construction.
Heolleung and Illeung (헐릉&인릉)
Heolleung: 37°27′58"N 127°04′59"EIlleung: 37°27′58"N 127°04′50"E
These tombs are in the south of Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, at the bottom of the southern slope of Daemosan. Heolleung is a conjoined pair of tombs, while Illeung stands alone two hundred metres to the west.
Hongneung and Yureung (홍릉&유릉)
Hongneung: 37°37′52"N 127°12′45"EYureung: 37°37′50"N 127°12′33"E
Yeongwon: 37°37′46"N 127°12′56"E
The styles of these two tombs reflect the political changes Korea was experiencing during the waning days of the Joseon Dynasty. With the declaration of the Korean Empire
Korean Empire
The Greater Korean Empire was an empire of Korea that succeeded the Joseon Dynasty.In October 1897, Emperor Gojong proclaimed the new entity at Gyeongungung Palace and oversaw the partially successful modernization of the military, economy, land system, education system, and various industries...
, the style of the tombs of the last two rulers of the Joseon Dynasty, Emperor Gojong and Emperor Sunjong were designed to reflect their new status. Hongneung holds the remains of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong
Empress Myeongseong
Empress Myeongseong , also known as Queen Min, was the first official wife of King Gojong, the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea...
. Yureung tomb holds the remains of Emperor Sunjong, Empress Sunmyeonghyo and Empress Sunjeonghyo. Other notable tombs include Yeongwon (영원), the tomb of Crown Prince Yeongwang and Crown Princess Yi Bangja. The tombs are located in the city of Namyangju
Namyangju
Namyangju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. To the east is Gapyeong County, to the west is Guri City, and to the north is Pocheon City.-History of Namyangju:...
, just to the east of Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
.
Jangneung (Gimpo) (김포 장릉)
37°36′47"N 126°42′40"EThere are three locations with Joseon tombs named Jangneung. This particular double tomb is found in Gimpo near the border with Incheon
Incheon
The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...
.
Jangneung (Paju) (파주 장릉)
37°46′25"N 126°42′29"EThis tomb is located in Paju
Paju
Paju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county .The city is located just south of Panmunjeom on the 38th parallel. To defend the Korean capital, Seoul, many US and Korean army bases are set up in the city. In 2002, the northernmost...
, near the confluence of the Rivers Imjin
Imjin River
The Imjin River is a river of North and South Korea. It flows from North to South, crossing the Demilitarized Zone and joining the Han River downstream of Seoul, very near the Yellow Sea.- History :...
and Han
Han River (Korea)
The Han River is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korean peninsula after the Amnok, Duman, and Nakdong rivers. It is formed by the confluence of the Namhan River , which originates in Mount Daedeok, and the Bukhan River , which originates on the slopes of Mount...
, where the Osusan Observatory overlooks North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
..
Jangneung (Yeongwol) (영월 장릉)
37°11′51"N 128°27′11"EThis tomb lies in the county of Yeongwol
Yeongwol
Yeongwol County is a county in Gangwon Province, South Korea.-External links:*...
, Gangwon
Gangwon-do (South Korea)
Gangwon-do is a province of South Korea, with its capital at Chuncheon. Before the division of Korea in 1945, Gangwon and its North Korean neighbour Kangwŏn formed a single province.-History:...
Province. It is the furthest from capital.
Jeongneung (정릉)
37°36′08"N 127°00′21"ENot to be confused with the more famous Jeongneung beside Seolleung or the Jeongneung area of Bukhansan, this tomb is also in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, but north of the river
Han River (Korea)
The Han River is a major river in South Korea and the fourth longest river on the Korean peninsula after the Amnok, Duman, and Nakdong rivers. It is formed by the confluence of the Namhan River , which originates in Mount Daedeok, and the Bukhan River , which originates on the slopes of Mount...
.
Olleung (온릉)
37°43′13"N 126°57′04"EOlleung is a tomb located in Yangju
Yangju
Yangju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Yangju is located south of Dongducheon and north of Uijeongbu not far from Seoul.- Attractions:...
, just to the north of the Seoul Ring Expressway's
Seoul Ring Expressway
The Seoul Ring Expressway is a circular beltway or ring road around Seoul, South Korea. It connects satellite cities around Seoul, Ilsan, Namyangju, Hanam, Pyeongchon, Jungdong, Bundang, Pangyo, Sanbon and Gimpo...
Songchu exit.
Paju Samneung Cluster (파주 삼릉)
Gongneung: 37°44′45"N 126°49′48"ESulleung: 37°44′37"N 126°50′11"E
Yeongneung: 37°44′33"N 126°50′01"E
This is a cluster of three tombs named Gongneung (공릉), Sulleung (술릉) and Yeongneung (영릉), in the city of Paju
Paju
Paju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county .The city is located just south of Panmunjeom on the 38th parallel. To defend the Korean capital, Seoul, many US and Korean army bases are set up in the city. In 2002, the northernmost...
. Yeongneung, a pair of tombs, is not to be confused with King Sejong's tomb in Yeoju.
Sareung (사릉)
37°38′50"N 127°11′51"EThis tomb is in Namyangju
Namyangju
Namyangju is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. To the east is Gapyeong County, to the west is Guri City, and to the north is Pocheon City.-History of Namyangju:...
, 1.6km from Geumgok Station
Geumgok Station
Geumgok Station is a railway station on the Gyeongchun Line....
.
Seolleung and Jeongneung (선릉&정릉)
Seolleung: 37°30′32"N 127°02′44"EJeongneung: 37°30′32"N 127°03′07"E
Seolleung and Jeongneung are in the south of Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
. Jeongneung is not to be confused with its namesake on the southern slopes of Bukhansan, also in Seoul. The tombs are in a park, the entrance of which is 340 metres from Seolleung Station
Seolleung Station
Seolleung Station is a Seoul Subway station, on Line 2 and the Bundang Line. The station is named after the nearby Seonjeongneung, the Joseon Dynasty royal tombs Seolleung and Jeongneung ....
.
Seo-oreung Cluster (서오릉)
Changneung: 37°38′09"N 126°53′42"EHongneung: 37°37′58"N 126°53′38"E
Gyeongneung: 37°37′47"N 126°53′38"E
Ingneung: 37°37′47"N 126°54′02"E
Myeongneung: 37°37′31"N 126°54′04"E
Daebinmyo: 37°37′49"N 126°53′32"E
Sugyeongwon: 37°37′38"N 126°54′02"E
Sunchangwon: 37°37′45"N 126°53′50"E
This is a group of tombs in Goyang
Goyang
Goyang is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Goyang includes the new city of Ilsan, which is connected to Seoul via Seoul Subway Line 3. Goyang is bordered by Seoul to the south; walls of the Bukhan Mountain Fortress lie along a small portion of this border.Several institutions of higher...
. The tombs are named Changneung (창릉) (which is a pair of tombs), Hongneung (홍릉), Gyeongneung (경릉), Ingneung (익릉) and Myeongneung (명릉) (which is a trio of tombs: one alone and another two joined as a pair). Other notable tombs here include Daebinmyo (대빈묘), Sugyeongwon (수경원) and Sunchangwon (순창원).
Seosamneung Cluster (서삼릉)
Huineung: 37°39′49"N 126°52′14"EHyoreung: 37°39′53"N 126°51′51"E
Yereung: 37°39′56"N 126°52′07"E
Hoimyo: 37°39′58"N 126°51′32"E
Hyochangwon: 37°39′50"N 126°52′02"E
Uiryeongwon: 37°39′50"N 126°52′02"E
The Seosamneung (lit. "Three Western Neung") tomb cluster is located in Goyang
Goyang
Goyang is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Goyang includes the new city of Ilsan, which is connected to Seoul via Seoul Subway Line 3. Goyang is bordered by Seoul to the south; walls of the Bukhan Mountain Fortress lie along a small portion of this border.Several institutions of higher...
, Gyeonggi
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...
Province, 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) from Seoul. The name of the tombs comes from the three royal tombs' (neung) location in the western suburb of the capital. Queen Janggyeong was interred in Huineung tomb (휘릉), while Hyoreung (효릉), a joined pair of tombs, holds the remains of King Injong
Injong of Joseon
King Injong of Joseon was the 12th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. His father was King Jungjong, and his mother was Queen Janggyeong, whose brother was Yun Im...
and his wife Queen Insong. King Cheoljong
Cheoljong of Joseon
King Cheoljong was the 25th king of the Korean Joseon Dynasty.-Background:At the beginning of the 19th century, the Andong Kim clan, who had provided the Joseon state with several queens, had seized power almost everywhere in Korea. The social stagnation that resulted was a breeding ground for...
and Queen Cheolin are interred in Yereung (예릉), another joined pair of tombs. Fifty other tombs, most notably Hoimyo (회묘), Hyochangwon (효창원) and Uiryeongwon (의령원), holding the remains of princes, princesses, and royal concubines, are also located in this cluster. Notably, monuments in various styles built to house the royal placenta
Placenta
The placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply. "True" placentas are a defining characteristic of eutherian or "placental" mammals, but are also found in some snakes and...
and umbilical cords
Umbilical cord
In placental mammals, the umbilical cord is the connecting cord from the developing embryo or fetus to the placenta...
, known as taesil, which had once been scattered all over Korea, have been gathered and now rest in this tomb cluster.
Taereung and Gangneung (태릉&강릉)
Taereung: 37°38′05"N 127°05′49"EGangneung: 37°38′24"N 127°06′19"E
Taereung and Gangneung are located in eastern Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
. Gangneung is a joined pair of tombs approximately a kilometre east of Taereung.
Uireung (의릉)
37°36′13"N 127°03′25"EUireung is a pair of tombs arranged in line. This tomb is in Seokgwan-dong, Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
.
Yeongneung and Yeongneung (영릉&영릉)
Yeongneung (King Hyojong): 37°18′50"N 127°36′32"EYeongneung (King Sejong): 37°18′29"N 127°36′11"E
These identically-named tombs lie in the west of the city of Yeoju and hold the remains of Sejong the Great and King Hyojong
Hyojong of Joseon
King Hyojong was the seventeenth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea from 1649 to 1659. He is best known for his plan for expedition to Manchu Qing dynasty and his campaigns against the Russian Empire by the request of Qing Dynasty...
. King Hyojong's tomb lies in line with the tomb of his wife, while King Sejong's stands alone.
Yungneung and Geolleung (융릉&건릉)
Geolleung: 37°12′50"N 126°59′17"EYungneung: 37°12′42"N 126°59′38"E
Yungneung and Geolleung
Yungneung and Geolleung
Yungneung and Geolleung are two royal tombs from the Joseon Dynasty within an oak-forested park in Hwaseong, South Korea. Yungneung is the tomb of Crown Prince Sado and Princess Hyegyeong, while Geolleung houses King Jeongjo and Queen Hyoui...
, within a park in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do is the most populous province in South Korea. The provincial capital is located at Suwon. Seoul—South Korea's largest city and national capital—is located in the heart of the province, but has been separately administered as a provincial-level special city since 1946...
, house Crown Prince Sado and Princess Hyegyeong (posthumously named Emperor Sangjo and Empress Heongyeong, and King Jeongjo
Jeongjo of Joseon
King Jeongjo was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He made various attempts to reform and improve the nation of Joseon. He was preceded by his grandfather King Yeongjo and succeeded by his son King Sunjo...
and Queen Hyoui.
See also
- Umbilical cord tomb of Taejo of Joseon Dynasty
- List of Korea-related topics
- Joseon DynastyJoseon DynastyJoseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...