The purpose of this study is to examine the phenomenon of portraits of enshrined characters in the World Heritage Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies, and to identify the role and status of the portraits of each Seowon at the time of its construct...
The purpose of this study is to examine the phenomenon of portraits of enshrined characters in the World Heritage Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies, and to identify the role and status of the portraits of each Seowon at the time of its construction. During the Joseon Dynasty, Seowon was in charge of Neo-Confucianism education and served as a ritual for the enshrined person. The Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academy, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019, is home to nine portraits of Ahn-hyang(安珦, 1243-1306) and Joo Se-bung(周世鵬, 1495-1554) in Sosu-seowon, Namgye-seowon, Oksan-seowon, Dosan-seowon, Piram-seowon, Piram-seowon, Dodong-seowon, Gyeongsan-Seowon, and Donam-seowon. Namgye-seowon only houses the portrait of Jeong Yeo-chang(鄭汝昌, 1450-1540), and Choi Chi-won(崔致遠, 857-?) in Museong-seowon. In all Seowon, rituals are held according to strict procedures, and in Seowon, where portraits are enshrined, rituals are held by serving portraits along with memorial tablets. Given that Sosu-seowon, who received the Bestowal of Title Boards for the first time, is being held as an example, it is hoped that Seowons necessity will be recognized even in a Confucian academy without portraits in the future.