Saturday, May 8, 2010

South Korea Gyeongbok Palace


Gyeongbok Palace
The above photo is the Gyotaejeon of the Gyeongbok Palace in northern Seoul. The Gyotaejeon is the sleeping and living place of the queen during the Korea Joseon Dunasty.

The Gyeongbok Palace is one of the five palaces of the Korea Joseon Dynasty. It was built in the 14th century. As the Gyeongbok Palace is an ancient palace, it's an ideal location for filming royal family drama.

Chinese zodiac statues
Chinese zodiac statue
The Chinese zodiac statues in the Gyeongbok Palace reveal the influence of the Chinese culture in South Korea. According to the tour guide, taking photo with your zodiac statue will bring you good luck. I didn't take photo with the zodiac statue otherwise I would have already been rich.

Human Head Wooden Pillars
Besides the Chinese zodiac statues, there are wooden pillars engraved with the human head in the Gyeongbok Palace. The wooden pillars are for fearing the evil. They are as if the Chinese god of door and the god of land.

Dolharubang
The symbol of the Jeju Island---Dolharubang also appeared in the compound of the Gyeongbok Palace. The Dolharubang is the patron saint of the Jeju Island.

Based on the South Korean folklore, the sterile female will pregnant by caressing the Dolharubang. The head of the Dolharubang seems similar to a male genital. That's why there is such legend.

Related Links
South Korea Mt. Sorak

South Korea Deoksu Palace

South Korea Everland Theme Park


No comments :

Post a Comment

Your feedback is welcome.