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Yeongeunmun

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For For remnants of Yeongeunmun designated as Historic Site of South Korea, see Plinths of Yeongeunmun Gate, Seoul.
Yeongeunmun
영은문
Picture of Yeongeunmun before demolision
Map
Former namesYeongjomun
Alternative namesYeonjumun, Yeoneunmun
General information
StatusDemolished
TypeGate
CountryJoseon
Coordinates37°34′20″N 126°57′37″E / 37.572200°N 126.960300°E / 37.572200; 126.960300
Completed1537 (renamed in 1539)
Demolished1895
Yeongeunmun
Hunminjeongeum
영은문
Hanja
Revised RomanizationYeongeunmun
McCune–ReischauerYŏngŭnmun

The Yeongeunmun (Korean: 영은문; Hanja: 迎恩門) or Yeongeunmun Gate is a historical structure existed in Joseon Dynasty. Since it was a symbol of China's diplomatic influence on the Joseon, the 'Gaehwa Party' of Joseon government intentionally demolished it in February 1895, seeking for complete political independence of Joseon from China.

History

Further information: Sadae and Qing invasion of Joseon
Picture describing Qing envoy greeted by the King of Joseon

For a long time, the Joseon Dynasty continued its diplomatic policy against Late Chinese Empires in a way of respecting political influence of China. It was typically called as Sadae (Korean: 사대; Hanja: 事大), which is literally 'serving' (Korean: 사; Hanja: 事; RR: Sa) the 'greater' (Korean: 대; Hanja: 大; RR: Dae) country (usually translated into suzerainity, flunkeyism or the term 'serving the Great'). This mode of diplomatic relationship was later forced by Qing dynasty, through Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636.[1]

Located at current northwestern part of Seoul, South Korea, the Yeongeunmun was one of Joseon's materialized symbol of Sadae. In year 1407, King Taejong of Joseon built a special state guest house for Chinese envoys to rest on the route from China to Joseon, near outside of Seoul's West gate. It was named 'Mohwa Pavilion' (Korean: 모화루; Hanja: 慕華樓; RR: Mohwaru), literally in meaning of 'Pavilion' (Korean: 루; Hanja: 樓; RR: Ru) 'admiring' (Korean: 모; Hanja: 慕; RR: Mo) 'Chinese civilization' (Korean: 화; Hanja: 華; RR: Hwa).[2] Its name was later changed to 'Mohwa Guesthouse' (Korean: 모화관; Hanja: 慕華館; RR: Mohwagwuan) in 1430 by King Sejong the Great of Joseon, simply changing meaning of 'Pavilion' to 'Guesthouse' (Korean: 관; Hanja: 館; RR: Gwan).[3]

King Sejong also built a 'Hongsalmun' (Korean: 홍문; Hanja: 紅門) near Mohwa Guesthouse. The Hongsalmun near Mohwagwan had a arrow-shaped decoration on top. It was reconstructed into new gate in 1537, and became an distinguished one after it was officially named as 'Yeongjomun' (Korean: 영조문; Hanja: 迎詔門) by Jungjong of Joseon, literally in meaning of 'Gate' (Korean: 문; Hanja: 門; RR: Mun) 'welcoming' (Korean: 영; Hanja: 迎; RR: Yeong) 'messages from China' (Korean: 조; Hanja: 詔; RR: Jo).[4] Yet Chinese diplomats insisted they are not just delivering messages, so the name of gate changed to Yeongeunmun in 1539, meaning 'Gate welcoming grace from China'. Though its official name was confirmed as Yeongeunmun from that time, it was also called as Yeonjumun or Yeoneunmun. Yeongeunmun had a hip roof and columns over two long plinths.[5]

Demolition

Further information: Gabo Reform and Plinths of Yeongeunmun Gate, Seoul

In late 19th century, 'Gaehwa Party' of Joseon tried to modernize its country. One of its political goal was turning Joseon into completely independent state. So in February 1895, during a period called 'Gabo Reform', Gaehwa Party demolished Yeongeunmun to show Joseon's enthusiasm of independence around the world. They thought Mohwa Guesthouse could be reformed into other use, yet Yeongeunmun has to be demolished.[6] Meanwhile, Soh Jaipil, a Korean-American political activist supporting independence of Joseon, planned building a new gate near ruins of demolished Yeongeunmun to symbolize independent status of Joseon. His plan obtained support from King Gojong. After Joseon was reestablished into Korean Empire in 1897, there was a new gate built by Soh Jaipil, named as 'Independence Gate', at site of glacing ruins of demolished Yeongeunmun. Also, the Mohwa Guesthouse was reformed into 'Independence Hall' (Korean: 독립관; Hanja: 獨立館; RR: Dongnipgwan).[7] For this long historical background, in 1963, South Korean government designated ruins of demolished Yeongeunmun as Historic Sites of South Korea, and relocated it into other place for preservation.[5]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yeongeunmun.

Notes and References

  1. ^ "History of Korea > V. Joseon Society Focused on the Yangban Class > 5. The Struggle against the Japanese and Manchus". contents.history.go.kr. National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  2. ^ 太宗恭定大王實錄 [태종실록 - 태종 7년 8월 22일 '송도의 연빈관을 모방하여 서문 밖에 새로 모화루를 짓다'] (in Korean). National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  3. ^ 世宗莊憲大王實錄 - 地理志 [세종실록지리지 - 경도 한성부] (in Korean). National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  4. ^ 中宗恭僖徽文昭武欽仁誠孝大王實錄 [중종실록 - 중종 32년 1월 2일 '삼공이 홍문을 영조문으로 할 것을 건의하다'] (in Korean). National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  5. ^ a b "Historic Site - Plinths of Yeongeunmun Gate, Seoul". english.cha.go.kr. Cultural Heritage Administration. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  6. ^ "신편 한국사 > 근대 > 40권 청일전쟁과 갑오개혁 > Ⅲ. 갑오경장 > 2. 제2차 개혁 > 3) 제2차 개혁의 내용". contents.history.go.kr (in Korean). National Institute of Korean History. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  7. ^ Fuchs, Eckhardt; Kasahara, Tokushi; Saaler, Sven (2017). A New Modern History of East Asia. V&R unipress GmbH. p. 145-147.
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