Sungnyemun Gate guard performance

Sungnyemun guard ceremony

Sungnyemun ceremony to protect the history of Seoul
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01 Guard ceremony

Sungnyemun guard ceremony to protect the history of Seoul!
An important ceremonial ceremony of the Joseon dynasty
that defends the castle of the city!

Guard was one of the important ceremonies of worship in the Joseon Dynasty by defending
the castle of the city. During the Joseon Dynasty, the city defense was the most important issue,
especially during the ancestors' invasion of Japan and the Manchu war of 1636.Guard ceremony
is the consciousness of the Joseon Dynasty that connects the ceremony of opening and shutting
the castle door In Injeong and Paru. It is as important ceremony as considering the position and role
of the central military system.

Gate Guard Performance
Guard is defending the castle of capital city and was one of the important military honours ritual in Joseon
dynasty period. Defending capital city was the most important issue in Joseon dynasty period and it has
been emerged as a serious problem especially during the reign of King Seonjo by experiencing Japanese
invasions of Korea, Manchu Invasion, and etc. Guard Performance is military honours ritual in Joseon
dynasty period connection gate opening ceremony around 10pm and around 4am, patrol ceremon and
etc, and is just important ceremony as guarding royal palace in consideration of position and role among
the central military system.

02 Sungryemun

It was originally called as Sungnyemun, the front gate of the castle surrounding the Hanyang city
of Chosun Dynasty. However, it was called as Namdaemun because it was in the south.
It is Korea National Treasure No. 1 and the oldest wooden building remaining in Seoul.
It was built in the 5th year of King Taejo (1396) and completed in 7th year of King Taejo (1398).
This building was reconstructed in the 30th year of King Sejong (1448), and it was revealed that
there was a large construction in the 10th year of King Seongjong (1479) at the time of dismantling
repairing from 1961 to 1963.On February 10, 2008, Sungnyemun Fire accident is caused therefore
the roof of the pavilion is collapsed and the roof of the first floor was partially destroyed. It was completed
on May 4, 2013. After restoration of 5 years and 2 months, it is opened to the public.

Sungnyemun Gate
It was the main gate of casttle surroungding capital city Hanyang ing Joseon dynasty, the original
name is Sungnyemun gate, and was also called Namdaemun gate as it is located in south.
It its No.1 national treasure of Korea and is the oldest remaining among wooden buildings in current
Seoul as it was initially started to built in the 5th year of King Taejo's reign(1396) and completed in the
7th year of King Taejo's reign(1398). Thisi building was rebuilt in the 30th year of the King Sejong's reign
(1488) and has been proved that there was also a big construction in the 10th year of King Seongjong
(1479) while dismantling and repairing from 1961 to 1963.
Since then, it has received extensive damage in Feb, 10th 2008 by Sungnyemun gate fireproof fire,
2nd floor roof of a tower has beent collapsed and part of 1st floor roof has been destroyed by fire,
and it has been opened to the public since May 4th 2013 by completion of 5year and 2month long
restoration work.

03 Procedure and Hours

Division Time planning Event progress Contents
Division ~ 10:00 Guarding in front of the main gate One Serving guard, two protecting guards, line up
10:00 ~ 12:00
13:00 ~ 15:40
guard ceremony After confirming the identity of the serving guard and identity,
shift work between the first guard group and the second guard group.
Sunra and guard ceremony 11:38 ~ 11:40 Deoksugung Palace Sunra Move to the Deoksook Palace for the performance of Sungnyemun (31 people)
11:40 ~ 11:44 Ceremony ritual performance and photo time Photo time after the guard ceremony
11:44 ~ 11:46 Instrument and location change Walking around Namdaemoon market after the guard ceremony