불천위 제례의 사회문화적 의미와 역할

Abstract

This paper investigated the relationship between Bulchunwee Rituals and the head family. For this, this paper also explored the persons who were selected as Bulchunwee and its meaning which Bulchunwee Rituals have in forming and maintaining the head family and their role. The qualifications of head family are broadly divided into lineage element and sociocultural element. Lineage element refers to the descending to the line of the eldest sons since parties’ ancestors were selected as Bulchunwee. On the other hand, sociocultural element refers to an independent cultural tradition which has been formed with parties’ ancestors as a center. In this point, Bulchunwee is an essential qualification for forming and maintaining the head family. According to an estimate in 2016, the number of people who were selected as Bulchunwee is 476 persons across the nation and 196 persons (49%) of them are from Kyeongbuk and Daegu. The remarkable point is that more than half of the 476 persons survived in the years between 1500 and 1600. The 16th century is the period when Neo-Confucianism which was brought from Chinasettledandatthesametimealotof ConfucianscholarswereproducedinChosunsociety. In addition, according to the regional features of the people who were selected as Bulchunwee, most people from SeoulandGyeonggiareaswereofroyalbloodwhilethemajorityofrestwereConfucianscholars. So, Bulchunwee people from Seoul and Gyunggi areas show relatively high rate in the possession of meritorious retainers and posthumous epithets, while other areas occupied by Confucian scholars have an edge on incorrupt government employees, Seowon, Sawoo and ritual, and writing activity. People of Bulchunwee usually become the role models of communities thanks to their great virtue like being reported as incorrupt government employees based on their integrity, loving people with the attitude of sacrifice and being honored as devoted sons. Like this, rituals for the ancestors of Bulchunwee who were the role models for descendants give them motivations to confirm genetical homogeneity based on their pride and strengthen their coherence. That is, descendants can form community in the process of participating in the ceremonies by sharing their space and time. Also they cooperate with others from preparation of rites’ stuffs to ceremonies which make them possible to develop a bond of sympathy. Thus, it may be the power of Bulchunwee that establishes the pyramidal clan hierarchy which leads central head family to one’s distant relatives and makes a strongly coherent blood community or ritual community.