The Tombs of the Joseon dynasty refers to the 40 tombs of members of the House of Yi , which ruled Korea (at the time known as Joseon , and later as the Korean Empire ) between 1392–1910. These tombs are scattered over 18 locations across the Korean Peninsula . They were built to honor and respect the ancestors and their achievements and assert their royal authority. The tombs have been registered as an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009. Two other Joseon tombs, located in Kaesong , North Korea , were proposed but not submitted.
30-637: Seonjeongneung is a burial ground from the Joseon dynasty , located in Seoul , South Korea . The westernmost tomb, called Seonneung , belongs to King Seongjong (1457–1494) the 9th monarch of Joseon. His first wife, Queen Gonghye of the Cheongju Han clan (1456–1474) died at age 18 and is buried near Munsan , north of Seoul . His third wife, Queen Jeonghyeon of the Papyeong Yun clan (1462–1530),
60-663: 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 Hanseong (present-day Seoul), the distance between other royal tombs, the accessibility of the location, and Korean traditions of pungsu ( geomancy ). The tomb construction also took into account
90-453: A wish to be buried alongside him, but this wish was never carried out, and his tomb stands alone. Royal Tombs of the Joseon dynasty The royal tombs can be divided into three main sections: It is the meeting point between the dead and the living. The area around Hongsalmun gate is the space for the living. This is the space between the earthly and the holy. This is the area where
120-430: Is a pair of tombs in the city of Namyangju , Gyeonggi Province . The tombs, arranged in a V shape, contain the remains of King Sejo and his wife, Queen Jeonghui . They were built in 1468 and 1483 respectively. Gwangneung is important because changes taking place in the architecture of royal tombs are evident in its construction. Screening rocks were not installed at this tomb. Instead of an outer coffin stone, quicklime
150-468: Is buried here because she gave birth to the future King Jungjong . Queen Jeonghyeon outlived Seongjong by 35 years and was buried in a splendid tomb to the east. Her grave has a stone fence encircling the mound, whereas her husband's tomb has a retaining wall. Statues of civilian and military officials and their horses stand at attention in front of the graves. South of the tombs is a single T-shaped shrine. There are also several auxiliary buildings for storing
180-719: Is located in the south of Seoul , at the bottom of the southern slope of Daemo Mountain. Heolleung is a pair of tombs holding the remains of Taejong of Joseon and Queen Wongyeong , while Illeung is a single mound situated two hundred meters to the west and holds the remains of King Sunjo and Queen Sunwon . Hongneung: 37°37′52″N 127°12′45″E / 37.63111°N 127.21250°E / 37.63111; 127.21250 Yureung: 37°37′50″N 127°12′33″E / 37.63056°N 127.20917°E / 37.63056; 127.20917 Yeongwon: 37°37′46″N 127°12′56″E / 37.62944°N 127.21556°E / 37.62944; 127.21556 The styles of
210-769: Is the best sample of group tombs from the Joseon era and represents the evolution of tomb architecture over a period of five hundred years. Seven kings and ten queens are interred in nine reung -type tombs. The most notable in this group is Geonwolleung (건원릉) for King Taejo , the founder of the Joseon dynasty. The other tombs in the cluster are Gyeongneung (경릉) ( King Heonjeong and his two wives, Queen Hyohyeon and Queen Hyojeong ), Hyereung (혜릉) ( Queen Danui , first wife of King Gyeongjong ), Hwireung (휘릉) ( Queen Jangnyeol , second wife of King Injo ), Mongneung (목릉) ( King Seonjo and his two wives, Queen Uiin and Queen Inmok ), Sungneung (숭릉) ( King Hyeonjong and Queen Myeongseong ), Sureung (수릉) ( Crown Prince Hyomyeong , who
240-870: The Capital Region First Ring Expressway 's Songchu Interchange. It holds the remains of Queen Dangyeong , the first wife of King Jungjong . Gongneung: 37°44′45″N 126°49′48″E / 37.74583°N 126.83000°E / 37.74583; 126.83000 Sulleung: 37°44′37″N 126°50′11″E / 37.74361°N 126.83639°E / 37.74361; 126.83639 Yeongneung: 37°44′33″N 126°50′01″E / 37.74250°N 126.83361°E / 37.74250; 126.83361 Located in this cluster are Gongneung (공릉) ( Queen Jangsun , first wife of King Yejong ), Sulleung (술릉) ( Queen Gonghye , first wife of King Seongjong and younger sister of Queen Jangsun) and Yeongneung (영릉) ( Crown Prince Hyojang , who
270-645: The Gyeongju Kim clan as the eldest daughter of Kim Cheon-seo and Lady Lee of the Damyang Lee clan. Lady Kim had two older brothers and five younger siblings. Lady Kim is descended from the Silla Dynasty's Gyeongju Kim clan. During the reign of King Shinjong of Goryeo , her grandfather, Kim Bong-mo (김봉모, 金鳳毛; ?–1209), served as Pyeongjangsa ( 평장사 ; 平章事 ) and received the posthumous title of Jeongpyeong ( 정평 ; 靖平 ). He later established
300-525: The Gyeongju Kim clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and queen consort of Yi Gyeong, King Jeongjong ; the second monarch of the Korean Joseon Dynasty . She was queen consort of Joseon from 1398 and was honoured as Queen Deok ( 덕비 ) until her husband's abdication in 1400 after which she was honoured as Queen Dowager Sundeok ( 순덕왕대비 ). Lady Kim was born during King Gongmin of Goyreo 's 4th year of reign on 30 January 1355 into
330-504: The Pyeongjangsa Branch ( 평장사공파 ) of the clan. Through her 6th great-grandfather, Lady Kim was a 12th great-granddaughter of King Gyeongsun of Silla and Princess Nakrang through their second son, Kim Eun-yeol. She and Queen Jeongsun are distantly related as they share Kim Jeong-gu (김정구, 金正矩; 973–1057) as their last common ancestor, and was also the grandson of Kim Eun-yeol. Through her great-great-grandmother, Lady Kim
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#1732772073460360-841: The aftermath of the Second Strife of Princes when her husband abdicated in favor of his younger brother, Yi Bang-won, Prince Jeongan on 28 November 1400, along with him being bestowed the courtesy title of "King Emeritus Inmungongye" ( 인문공예상왕 ), she was bestowed the courtesy title of "Queen Dowager Sundeok" (순덕왕대비, Sundeok-Wangdaebi ) by her royal brother-in-law. Queen Deok later died on 11 August 1412 during her brother-in-law's, King Taejong, reign. Her husband outlived her by seven years and both are buried within Hureung in Yeongjeong-ri, Kaepung County , North Hwanghae Province , North Korea. She had no issue with King Jeongjong . She
390-632: The border with Incheon . It holds the remains of Prince Jeongwon (who was posthumously honored as King Wonjong) and Queen Inheon , the parents of King Injo . 37°46′25″N 126°42′29″E / 37.77361°N 126.70806°E / 37.77361; 126.70806 This tomb is located in Paju , Gyeonggi Province , near the confluence of the Rivers Imjin and Han , where the Osusan Observatory overlooks North Korea . It holds
420-638: The materials used during commemorative ceremonies. Queen Jeonghyeon had a deep interest in Buddhism and founded the nearby Bongeunsa Temple . The other tomb is Jeongneung , located at the easternmost part of the site. This is the burial ground of King Jungjong (1487–1544), the 11th monarch of Joseon. He was the second son of Seongjong, and was originally buried in Goyang , near Munsan . However, his third wife, Queen Munjeong , thought it would be better to have him re-interred closer to his father. She expressed
450-510: The more famous Jeongneung in the area of Bukhansan Mountain . This tomb is also in Seoul , but north of the Han River . It holds the remains of Queen Sindeok , the second wife of King Taejo . 37°43′13″N 126°57′04″E / 37.72028°N 126.95111°E / 37.72028; 126.95111 Olleung is a tomb located in Yangju , Gyeonggi Province , just to the north of
480-467: The remains of King Injo and his first wife, Queen Inyeol . 37°11′51″N 128°27′11″E / 37.19750°N 128.45306°E / 37.19750; 128.45306 This tomb lies in the county of Yeongwol , Gangwon Province and is the furthest from the capital. It holds the remains of King Danjong . 37°36′08″N 127°00′21″E / 37.60222°N 127.00583°E / 37.60222; 127.00583 Not to be confused with
510-404: The remains of Queen Jeongsun , wife of King Danjong . Seolleung: 37°30′32″N 127°02′44″E / 37.50889°N 127.04556°E / 37.50889; 127.04556 Jeongneung: 37°30′32″N 127°03′07″E / 37.50889°N 127.05194°E / 37.50889; 127.05194 Located in the south of Seoul , Jeongneung (not to be confused with its namesake on
540-457: The resting place of Empress Myeongseong and Emperor Gojong in Namyangju ), Gyeongneung (경릉) ( Crown Prince Uigyeong , who was posthumously honored as King Deokjong, and Queen Sohye, better known as Queen Insu ), Ingneung (익릉) ( Queen Ingyeong , first wife of King Sukjong ) and Myeongneung (명릉) (the twin tombs of King Sukjong and his second wife, Queen Inhyeon ; and Danneung (단릉),
570-515: The royal family were interred in myo(墓; 묘) -type tombs. The royal tombs are scattered over 18 locations, with many of them located as far as 40 kilometers from Seoul . For example, Jangneung is in Yeongwol , Gangwon Province , while Yeongneung is in Yeoju , Gyeonggi Province . Tombs were made for individuals as well as family groups. There are 40 reung -type and 13 won -type tombs, thus creating
600-1590: The southern slopes of Bukhansan Mountain , also in Seoul) is the tomb of King Jungjong , while Seolleung holds the remains of King Seongjong and his third wife, Queen Jeonghyeon . The tombs are in a park, the entrance of which is 340 meters from Seolleung Station . Changneung: 37°38′09″N 126°53′42″E / 37.63583°N 126.89500°E / 37.63583; 126.89500 Hongneung: 37°37′58″N 126°53′38″E / 37.63278°N 126.89389°E / 37.63278; 126.89389 Gyeongneung: 37°37′47″N 126°53′38″E / 37.62972°N 126.89389°E / 37.62972; 126.89389 Ingneung: 37°37′47″N 126°54′02″E / 37.62972°N 126.90056°E / 37.62972; 126.90056 Myeongneung: 37°37′31″N 126°54′04″E / 37.62528°N 126.90111°E / 37.62528; 126.90111 Daebinmyo: 37°37′49″N 126°53′32″E / 37.63028°N 126.89222°E / 37.63028; 126.89222 Sugyeongwon: 37°37′38″N 126°54′02″E / 37.62722°N 126.90056°E / 37.62722; 126.90056 Sunchangwon: 37°37′45″N 126°53′50″E / 37.62917°N 126.89722°E / 37.62917; 126.89722 A group of tombs in Goyang , Gyeonggi Province , it holds Changneung (창릉) ( King Yejong and his second wife, Queen Ansun ), Hongneung (홍릉) ( Queen Jeongseong , first wife of King Yeongjo ; not to be confused with
630-680: The spirits of the kings and queens meet their earthly worshippers. This area also contains the Jeongjagak shrine, the Subokbang, and the Suragan buildings. This area also includes the wall and the other stone structures. Other structures include: The tombs are classified into two types. The kings and queens and those posthumously granted the title of king or queen, were interred in reung(陵; 릉) -type tombs. Crown princes and their wives were interred in won(園; 원) -type tombs. Other members of
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#1732772073460660-464: The tomb of Yi Un, Crown Prince Euimin and Yi Bang-ja, Crown Princess Euimin . They are located in the city of Namyangju , just to the east of Seoul . 37°36′47″N 126°42′40″E / 37.61306°N 126.71111°E / 37.61306; 126.71111 There are three locations with Joseon tombs named Jangneung . This particular double tomb is found in Gimpo , Gyeonggi Province , near
690-703: The tomb of Sukjong's third wife, Queen Inwon ). Other notable tombs include Daebinmyo (대빈묘) ( Royal Noble Consort Hui of the Indong Jang clan , a concubine of King Sukjong and the mother of King Gyeongjong ), Sugyeongwon (수경원) ( Royal Noble Consort Yeong of the Jeonui Yi clan , a concubine of King Yeongjo and the biological mother of Crown Prince Sado ) and Sunchangwon (순창원) ( Crown Prince Sunhoe and Crown Princess Gonghoe ). Queen Jeongan Queen Jeongan ( Korean : 정안왕후 김씨 , 30 January 1355 – 11 August 1412 ) or Queen Anjeong ( 안정왕후 ), of
720-649: The traditional burial rituals of Korea and the natural environment. There now follows a list (in alphabetical 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 , first wife of King Taejo ) and Hureung ( 후릉 ) (the tombs of King Jeongjong and Queen Jeongan ). 37°37′11″N 127°07′53″E / 37.61972°N 127.13139°E / 37.61972; 127.13139 This cluster
750-583: The two main tombs reflect the political changes experienced by Korea 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, Emperor Gojong and Emperor Sunjong were designed to reflect their new status. Hongneung holds the remains of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong . Yureung holds the remains of Emperor Sunjong and his two wives, Empress Sunmyeong and Empress Sunjeong . Other notable tombs include Yeongwon (영원),
780-488: Was a fourth cousin twice removed of Queen Wongyeong as they shared Min Yeong-mo as their ancestor, and would eventually become her sister-in-law through marriage. It is unknown what year she married Yi Bang-gwa, the second son of Yi Seong-gye and Lady Han . In 1398, at the age of 42-43, she became Crown Princess Consort Deok when her husband, Prince Yeongan (the future King Jeongjong ), became Crown Prince. Her father
810-403: Was given the royal title of "Internal Prince Wolseong, Kim Cheon-seo" ( 월성부원군 김천서 ; 月城府院君 金天瑞 ), and her mother was given the royal title of "Internal Princess Consort Samhanguk of the Damyang Lee clan" ( 삼한국대부인 담양 이씨 ; 三韓國大夫人 潭陽 李氏 ). She was then referred as "Queen Consort Deok" (덕비; Deokbi meaning Virtuous Consort ) from the 5 September 1398 until her husband's abdication. In
840-407: Was posthumously honored as King Jinjong, and Queen Hyosun ). It is situated in the city of Paju , Gyeonggi Province . Yeongneung is not to be confused with King Sejong 's tomb in Yeoju . 37°38′50″N 127°11′51″E / 37.64722°N 127.19750°E / 37.64722; 127.19750 This tomb is in Namyangju , Gyeonggi Province , 1.6 km from Geumgok Station . It holds
870-618: Was posthumously honored as King Munjo, and Queen Sinjeong ), Wolleung (원릉) ( King Yeongjo and his second wife, Queen Jeongsun ) and Myeongbinmyo (명빈묘) (Royal Noble Consort Myeong of the Andong Kim clan , a concubine of King Taejong ). The cluster is situated on the west bank of the Wangsukcheon Stream in the city of Guri , Gyeonggi Province . 37°45′08″N 127°10′38″E / 37.75222°N 127.17722°E / 37.75222; 127.17722 Gwangneung
900-578: 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: 37°27′58″N 127°04′59″E / 37.46611°N 127.08306°E / 37.46611; 127.08306 Illeung: 37°27′58″N 127°04′50″E / 37.46611°N 127.08056°E / 37.46611; 127.08056 This site
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