The traditional construction is the product of the wisdom of life and creative process that has continued throughout history. It reflects the sentiments, experiences, values and outlook on life of Koreans and the history, culture, natural surroundings...
The traditional construction is the product of the wisdom of life and creative process that has continued throughout history. It reflects the sentiments, experiences, values and outlook on life of Koreans and the history, culture, natural surroundings and environment of Korea.
Fengshui or geomancy that has been an integral part of the Korean mind and lifestyle is a Korean traditional life philosophy that has greatly affected the location and layout of housing, graves, places, temples, Seowons (lecture halls) and Hyanggyos (public Confusion schools) with an aim of making life comfortable and sound in harmony with the nature and with the Chi (energy) from the nature.
According to Fengshui, the geomantic topography affects personal luck. The wealth and position originates from the topography of one's location. A good estate produces great figures.
This point provided the basis for this research.
The Chosun Dynasty held Confucian ethics and education philosophy as it considered Confucianism as the foundation of the system. During the early period of the Chosun Dynasty, Hyanggyos were established. In the middle period and thereafter, public education phased out and Sarims (scholars) ostracized by political powers began establish Seowons to worship late sages and educate the young.
Seowons as the subject matter of this research are limited to the nine Seowons (Sosu, Namgye, Oksan, Dosan, Dodong, Byeongsan, Pilam, Museong and Donam) that have been designated as cultural heritage among the forty-seven Seowons and Sawoos (shrines) that had not been damaged after the royal order was made in 1871 to abolish Seowons (Sin-mi-jon-chi).
The methods used for this research included studies in the references, visits to sites and interviews with authorities.
Based on the historical and social backgrounds and the ideas of the constructors, I endeavored to interpret the locations, interior designs and layouts of each Seowon in the light of Fengshui (Yong, Hyeol, Sa and Su standing for four elements of Fengshui).
This research may be summarized as follows:
As respects the location, layouts and interior designs as well as their locations of Seowons as Chosun's educational institutions were determined by Fengshui. Therefore, most of the Seowons considered in this research were located under hills, except for Pilam Seowon, which faces spacious fields.
Second, the Confucian architecture is characterized by absolute values that highlight a strict order and system. Unlike the Western structures that are usually grouped into complexes, Korean structures usually constitute a community of individual and independent structures. As a means to ensure harmony in the community, an axis was set up to indicate the relations and order between structures. The axis links the main components of the Seowon, namely, the entrance, lecture space and shrine area, which constitute a symmetrical shape.
Third, a consideration of Fengshui features of Seowon construction may be summarized as follows:
1. The Jusan (mountain in the back) of the Seowons of concern mainly has a shape of Mugokgeumseongche (wealth and riches) and the Ansan (mountain in front) is a Munpilbong (peak known to promote academic achievements) of Tamrangmokseongche (fame and position). The Jusan of Mugokgeumseongche corresponds to Gold among Ohaeng (the Five Elements), which stands for wealth. This represents the wishes of the Sarims who wanted to be financially secure so as to support education and donations. The Munpilbong as Ansan corresponds to the objective of pursuing academic goals and is thought to have stimulated students with goals.
2. The Hyang (direction) of the Seowon construction is also an important aspect. The Hyang in general was determined based on topography and the Lichi theory. The Seowons of concern were located primarily based on topography rather than the Lichi theory.
3. The Hyeolcheo (spot where Chi from everywhere is concentrated) is defined as a lucky spot with core conditions of fortune concentrated. Therefore, the Hyeolcheo becomes the spot where the most important structure is seated. The Seowons of concern had either the shrine or the auditorium at the Hyeolcheo, depending on the prime objective of the particular Seowon.
4. The Sagyeok defined as the geographic features around the Seowon concerned included Naeryong, Cheongryong, Baekho and Ansan as Sasinsa (the Four Divine Features). Some of them were not perfect in role and function, but overall, most of the Seowons were located at Jangpoong (well-shielded area) for an satisfactory environment.
5. The Seowons concerned tended to face waters, which were of the shape of Geumseongsu(smoothly curving toward the Seowon)
Overall, the Seowons of Chosun were constructed based on Fengshui. The environmentally-friendly and humanistic features of Fengshui can successfully be integrated into modern architecture and the objective of the Seowon in wholesome education also contains the ideas that modern education may find beneficial.