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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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DEOKSUGUNG

 Deoksugung: The Palace of Virtuous Longevity

Jeonghwajeon, photo by author

    Deoksugung was originally the palace of residency for the royal family but was temporarily used as a formal palace in 1593 when all other palaces were destroyed in the Japanese invasions in 1592 until 1611, when Changdeokgung was reconstructed. However, in 1897, it was once again used as an imperial palace; in this time, its scale was greatly increased to house the addition of both traditional as well as Western-style buildings, reflecting increasing external pressures during this transitional period of the monarchy. Although many of its buildings were destroyed in 1904 and its scale greatly reduced, restoration efforts beginning in the 1940s have steadily restored the palace to its state today.

    Deoksugung stands as a symbol of the growing influence of the Western world during the Joseon Dynasty. The introduction of stone-and-brick Western architecture sharply contrast the traditional wooden structures of other palaces. Further reflecting this difference is in the use of dancheong; dancheong is not present on the Western-style buildings. 

            
                 Western-style architecture, photo by author                                      Hybrid-style architecture, photo by author                           
    The dancheong that is present at Deoksugung exists only its few traditional wooden structures. Furthermore, dancheong here was kept in more refined and elegant style, reflecting its role as a modern diplomatic space and matching the compound's hybrid nature. A unique and notable symbol visible at the throne hall, Jeonghwajeon, is the phoenix in flames; although the phoenix is typically a symbol of peaceful rule and often pictured at other throne halls, the addition of flames may suggest a representation of a monarchy under pressure to reform.

PALACE INFORMATION

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

opening hours/cost:

general viewing:

*closed on Mondays


general:

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


                exhibition hall:

Seokjojeon: 

Jan. - Dec.: 9AM - 5:30PM (last admission 4:30PM)

Dondeokjeon:

Jan. - Dec.: 9AM - 5:30PM (last admission 5PM)

Jungmyungjeon:

` Jan. - Dec.: 9AM - 5:30PM (last admission 5PM)


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: (04519) 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul


closest major transit:


2 min on foot:

Line 1 / 2 City Hall Station Exit 2

10 min on foot:

Line 5 Gwanghwamun Station Exit 6 / 2

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