Photo Gallery

Gwangneung Tomb - 광릉 (光陵) (built 15th century)

Gwangneung is the tomb of King Sejo (1417-1468, r. 1455-1468), the 7th ruler of the Joseon (Chosôn)dynasty, and Queen Jeonghui (1418-83).

King Sejo and Queen Jeonghui are buried in separate mounds some distance apart but they share a single T-shaped shrine built in front of the mounds. The tombs have plaster burial chambers instead of the usual stone ones. They are also without the usual stone retaining wall that supports the base of the mounds, and the twelve zodiac figures that usually adorn the wall are instead carved on the stone posts of the railings encircling the mounds. This style of construction and adornment was the result of specific orders given by Sejo to limit spending on constructing of royal tombs and continued to dominate royal tomb construction throughout the dynasty.

Each mound has a stone wall on its east, west and north. A pair of stone tigers and sheep stand outside the railing around the mound. A pair of stone posts, a stone table and a stone lantern stand in front of the mound. Two civil officials and two military officials and their horses stand in front of them.

Memorial services honoring the King and Queen were held in the T-shaped shrine. A flagstone walkway with two lanes leads to the shrine from the red gate (image 1), which marks the boundary of sacred ground. One of the lanes is raised. The raised lane was for the spirits to use and the other lane was for the King to use. Beside the walkway is a stone platform on which were burned papers to summon the spirits of the deceased. Behind the shrine is a square stone box into which to put its ashes. Nearby the shrine is a small building were food offerings were prepared and ritual vessels stored (image 9). A memorial stele is also located inside. The caretaker's house (not shown) is located outside the red gate.

Address: 경기 남양주시 진접읍 부평리 산99-2.

(Designated Historical Site #197).

Click on any of the red arrows to view that location.
Image adapted from site brochure.