The Effects of Wang Kon’s Ten Inductions from Goryeo Until the End of Joseon
Although the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) and Wang Kon (r. 918-943) is separated from modern Korea by hundreds of years. Nearing his death, Wang Kon wrote the ten injunctions as a set of instructions to ensure the continuation of the dynasty; however, there are still remaining aspects of this dynasty through stories and even the organization of cities. Specifically, the concept of geomancy has survived through revolutions and a different dynasty; it is a major part of the traditional Korean society.
Geomancy is an idea borrowed from China (fengshui); since it is a Chinese idea, it’s almost hypocritical that Wang Kon’s fourth injunction is that the people should not try to follow the Chinese model anymore. Hong-key Yoon, a professor at University of Auckland, New …show more content…
Many important buildings in Korea were built in the most auspicious sites available, such as the Kyongbok Palace from the Joseon Dynasty. The destruction of the palace and the construction of a Japanese government building both served as way to show Korea that Japanese colonialism was the result of fate. This demoralized the Korean people. The Japanese replaced their most valuable symbol of power. The Japanese manipulated one of Korea’s longest held practices to fit their agenda.
There are, however, negative effects to this practice. Such as the later Joseon period Confucian scholar’s criticism that people would often dig up and move graves of others, so that their deceased family members could have a more auspicious resting place. There was also economic strain on the citizens and government from the constant need to move, rebuild, and maintain structures into order to have better fortune according to geomancy. Nearby homes could be destroyed and people would be displaced if it interfered with the tomb of person with high society
Although the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) and Wang Kon (r. 918-943) is separated from modern Korea by hundreds of years. Nearing his death, Wang Kon wrote the ten injunctions as a set of instructions to ensure the continuation of the dynasty; however, there are still remaining aspects of this dynasty through stories and even the organization of cities. Specifically, the concept of geomancy has survived through revolutions and a different dynasty; it is a major part of the traditional Korean society.
Geomancy is an idea borrowed from China (fengshui); since it is a Chinese idea, it’s almost hypocritical that Wang Kon’s fourth injunction is that the people should not try to follow the Chinese model anymore. Hong-key Yoon, a professor at University of Auckland, New …show more content…
Many important buildings in Korea were built in the most auspicious sites available, such as the Kyongbok Palace from the Joseon Dynasty. The destruction of the palace and the construction of a Japanese government building both served as way to show Korea that Japanese colonialism was the result of fate. This demoralized the Korean people. The Japanese replaced their most valuable symbol of power. The Japanese manipulated one of Korea’s longest held practices to fit their agenda.
There are, however, negative effects to this practice. Such as the later Joseon period Confucian scholar’s criticism that people would often dig up and move graves of others, so that their deceased family members could have a more auspicious resting place. There was also economic strain on the citizens and government from the constant need to move, rebuild, and maintain structures into order to have better fortune according to geomancy. Nearby homes could be destroyed and people would be displaced if it interfered with the tomb of person with high society