|
The Asian tradition and culture has always given importance to the concept of rites and rituals. Even in our modern civilized society, customary practices have become almost synonymous with maintaining law and order. King Taejo, the first king of the Joseon dynasty set up the Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul in 1395 after having moved his capital to Seoul. Description of the Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul- Jongmyo is the term which traditionally has been used to refer a place where ceremonial services are executed for kings who have passed away. Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul happens to be the oldest and most reliable of all Confucian royal shrines which have been preserved. Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul can best be defined as a large park where special buildings store the "spirit tablets" of Joseon dynasty kings, queens, and their faithful subjects. Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul has been dedicated to the ancestors of the Choson dynasty and has been there from the 16th century. Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul annually conducts 'Jongmyo Daeje', a royal hereditary ritual on the first Sunday of May. Previously it was held five times a year. But the Japanese colonial government issued notice to refrain from performing those hereditary rituals. In 1971 it was again restored but since then the rituals are performed only once a year. The members of the Royal family wearing court costumes of the Chosun period execute complicated rituals in the Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul. The rituals at the Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul are often followed by traditional court music played by the Royal Court Orchestra. Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul is the perfect place to visit if one wishes to know about the history of Korea. In 1995, Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul has been declared as UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage Site and also as an "Intangible Cultural Property". So when visiting Seoul, make it a point to visit Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul and be assured of an experience of a lifetime.
|
