‘위정이덕爲政以德’과 ‘경천근민敬天勤民’으로 본 경복궁 근정전 난간석주 서수상의 의미

Abstract

Gyeongbokgung Palace's Geunjeongjeon is regarded as one of the most signicant structures among the palace buildings of the Joseon Dynasty, having been bestowed with various symbols during its reconstruction in the mid-1860s. Particularly noteworthy is the balustrade stone installed on the Woldae(moon terrace), which was rst attempted during this period. e carved representations of the Four Guardian Deities(사신), Twelve Zodiac Animals(十二支神), and the Twenty-Eight Constellations(二十八宿) atop it marks the rst instance not only in Korea but also in East Asia. The carving of these mythical creatures, known as Seosusang(瑞獸像), on the balustrades of Geunjeongjeon Hall is based on astronomy. e Four Guardian Deities, Twelve Zodiac Animals, and the Twenty-Eight Constellations all represent celestial beings mentioned in the Stone Constellation Chart, termed Cheonsangyeolcha bunyajido, an ancient Korean star map. The signicance behind sculpting these mythical creatures can broadly be categorized into two main principles: Wijeong Ideok(爲政以德) and Gyeongcheon Geunmin(敬天勤民). e former metaphorically represents the virtue of a ruler, likening the arrangement of stars, particularly around the North Star, to the governance of virtue. On the other hand, the latter conveys the idea that a ruler should diligently study astronomy for the benet of the people. Ultimately, Wijeong Ideok and Gyeongcheon Geunmin align with the intended meaning of Geunjeongjeon, encouraging a ruler to diligently engage in governance. The embodiment of these symbolic and pictorial representations of mythical creatures on the Woldae (moon terrace) was derived from the astronomical knowledge of the aristocracy at that time and studies of Qing Dynasty documents such as Jinshisu(金石索) depicting animal forms of the Twenty-Eight Constellations. Additionally, the design work of the special supervisors referred to as byeolganyeok, including Kang yoon, the stone quarrying, transportation, and installation eorts led by Kim Jin-seong and other foreman (paejang), and the exceptional craftsmanship of stone masons like Jang Seong-bok all contributed to the completion of the project. e construction of the Woldae (Moon Terrace) of Geunjeongjeon Hall, marking the final phase of the reconstruction of Gyeongbokgung Palace, served as a symbolic representation of the Wangdo Jeongchi(王道政治), or the King’s Way of Governance, through the depiction of mythical creatures. It demonstrated a meaningful understanding that rearmed the essence of Geunjeongjeon’s name.