Chosun Dynasty Map of Seoul (1861)
In olden times, Koreans were fervent believers in the value of geomantic ideas when they needed to find desirable locations for new towns and buildings. Better known as Feng Shui, these ideas were first developed in China among the farmers of the Loess Plateau to help choose the most favorable locations for their homes in a flood prone, earthquake prone landscape.
I am indebted to Yoon Hong-Key’s book ‘The Culture of Feng Shui in Korea’ for this description of the harmonious principles that were embedded in the city by Seoul’s founders.
“The original site of Seoul was obviously located in a geomantically auspicious site. The Kyongbok Palace is located in the geomancy cave of the city. The original city is surrounded by mountain ranges, especially its northern end. Pukak Mountain is the main mountain or the black turtle of the city. From there a mountain range extends in an arch flanking both sides of the city. The Inwang mountain range encircles Seoul on the right side of the main mountain, becoming the white toger of the city. Naksan is the the hill that encircles Seoul to the left, hence it is the azure dragon. Namsan, the south mountain, is the peace mountain of Seoul, and Kwanak mountain is the homage mountain; these two mountains thus become the red bird of Seoul. A long mountain range behind the Pukak Mountain represents the ancestral mountain of the main mountain. Seoul has a relatively large basin the becomes the bright yard of the city located between the main mountain, azure dragon, white tiger, and peace mountain. Small streams from the nearby main mountain flow into the center of Seoul, while the large Han River flows in front of the city.”
“Seoul thus has highly auspicious geomantic harmony. As many geomancers have noted, it is one of the most qualified capital sites in Korea. Within the naturally formed geomantically harmonious landscape, the Chosun Dynasty developed a city of balanced size that fits well into the basin. On the ridges of the mountain range that surround Seoul, the city wall was built to define the city boundary and complete the city landscape.”
While the Kyongbok Palace was considered the most auspicious location in Korea, Kahoi-dong was historically the second most favoured spot to live.
David Kilburn
Tags: bukchon, Gyeongbok, hanok, kahoi-dong, Seoul