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DANCHEONG

Dancheong: The Art of Symbolic Ornamentation      Dancheong  is the traditional practice of Korean architectural ornamentation in which wood is painted and decorated with vibrant colors and symbolic motifs. More than decoration, this practice expresses cultural values rooted in both Buddhism and Confucianism in its preservation of traditional and historic Korean architecture.  Geunjeongjeon at Gyeongbokgung, photo by author Color Systems in Dancheong     The term dancheong literally translates to "red-green," referencing the dominant hues often used in structures: reddish-brown on lower elements and blue-green on upper ones, evoking the colors of a tree trunk and its canopy. This natural palette reflects Buddhist ideals of harmony with nature.   Example of red-green color scheme at Gyeongbokgung, photo by author     However, dancheong employs a much broader system of color rooted in  obaengsaek , or the five cardinal colors. Th...
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CHANGGYEONGGUNG

Changgyeonggung: The Palace of Flourishing Celebration

Main Gate at Changgyeonggung, photo by author

    Changgyeonggung was built in addition to Changgyeonggung as a palace dedicated to the queens and concubines of the kingdom. Constructed in 1418, it was also destroyed during the Japanese invasions of 1592 and later reconstructed in 1616. Many of the buildings were destroyed again during the Great Disaster of 1830 but was quickly rebuilt again four years later.

    Used primarily as a living space for royal families rather than political affairs, it features much subtler and less grand dancheong than is found at Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung. As an addition to Changdeokgung, it also features more natural motifs, harmonizing the structure with its surrounding nature much like its attached palace.

    Myeongjeongjeon, the main hall of Changgyeonggung, is the oldest surviving main hall of all the Joseon era palaces, retaining its structure since 1616. Although it served similar functions as the throne halls of Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung, it is more modest in scale and decoration as the compound overall was more functional as a living space rather than a political space. This is visible in its structure with only a single-tiered roof rather than double-tiered as is present in the other two palaces. Similarly, its carvings and brackets are still intricate but less elaborate. Although moro dancheong is still present here, these elements are also simplified in comparison to its neighboring palaces.

   
         Dancheong of Myeongjeongjeon, photo by author                               Throne at Myeongjeongjeon, photo by author

    The imagery present at Changgyeonggung is more naturalistic, similar to Changdeokgung. One notable difference in dancheong seen here compared to other palaces are symbols of femininity and protection, such as the butterfly and peach blossom, respectively. These motifs are prominently featured at the queen's residence, Tongmyeongjeon, and signify the compound's purpose as a protected, female-centric space.

PALACE INFORMATION

website: https://royal.khs.go.kr/ROYAL/contents/menuInfo-cgg.do?grpCode=cgg


opening hours/cost:


general viewing:

* closed on Mondays


Jan. - Dec.: 9AM - 9PM (last admission 8PM)

(yulgok-ro entrance opening)


Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, culture day (last Wednesday of every month):

Nov. - Jan.: 9AM - 9PM (last admission 5PM)

Feb. - May: 9AM - 9PM (last admission 5:30PM)

June - Aug.: 9AM - 9PM (last admission 6PM)

Sep. - Oct.: 9AM - 9PM (last admission 5:30PM)


general admission:


individuals: 

                koreans: 1,000won (ages 25 - 64)

foreigners: 1,000won (ages 19 - 64)


groups: (10+ people)

koreans: 800won (ages 25 - 64)

foreigners: 800won (ages 19 - 64)


address/location: (03072) 185, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

closest major transit:

12 min on foot:
Line 4 Hyehwa Station Exit 4

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