The choheonguan, the court official who offers the first drink during a ritual (center), is on his way to offer incense during a ceremony to commemorate what would have been King Sejong the Great’s 619th birthday on May 15 at Yeongneung, the monarch’s royal tomb, in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do Province.
King Sejong the Great (세종대왕, 世宗大王) (1397-1450) is one of the most respected monarchs of Korean history due to his great achievements across many fields, from national defense and science, through to the arts, and, of course, his overseeing of the creation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. Even more than 600 years later, he is still respected as one of the best monarchs and is considered as the “master of the Korean people.”
To commemorate his birthday and to honor his achievements, a commemoration ceremony was held on May 15 — which is both his birthday and national Teacher’s Day — at Yeongneung, King Sejong’s royal tomb, in Yeoju, Gyeonggi-do Province.
The choheonguan official offers the first drink at the altar during the commemoration ceremony to celebrate what would have been King Sejong the Great’s 619th birthday.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok lights an incense stick in the name of President Park Geun-hye during the commemoration ceremony.
The ceremony began with an incense burning and a drinks offering by the choheonguan, the person who offers the first drink during rituals. It was followed by a ritual speech. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok attended the rite, and lit a stick of incense and offered a drink in the name of President Park Geun-hye who was not able to attend.
After the ritual, a court song, “Yeomillak,” and a court dance, the Bongnaeeui, were performed. Both art pieces were created by King Sejong the Great himself to celebrate the achievements of the first monarch of the Joseon kingdom, King Taejo (태조, 太祖) (1335-1408).
A series of other events took place as well during the ceremony. There was a reenactment of a Joseon public official’s exam and a striking of the sinmungo drum that was a channel for the common people to report unfair affairs to the monarch. A Bongsan mask dance was also performed during the ceremony and an exhibit displayed stones found at Joseon royal tombs, offering visitors a chance to enjoy various aspects of Joseon history and culture.
By Chang Iou-chung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Jeon So-hyang, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
icchang@korea.kr
Minister of Culture Kim Jongdeok (left) and Yeoju Mayor Won Gyeong-hui (second from left) greet young participants in the reenactment of a Joseon public official’s exam.
A group of dancers in traditional dress performs the Bongnaeeui court dance during the commemoration ceremony in honor of King Sejong’s birthday.
