In previous posting, I posted Deoksugung having the sad history of collapse of dynasty.
Even thought it had very sad history, it has very important meaning in offering the healing space for people.
Other palaces are located near the mountain BukAk which is the background mountain.
In Korean architecture, the circumstances were exceptionally important.
Especially in building the capital city at the first stage of the dynasty, the Feng Shui was very important.
Background of the palace must be a mountain, and there must be a small mountain in front of the capital and the palace, this mountain was called An san of meaning ‘safe’
There must be a river in front of the capital. In this respect, Seoul seemed the ideal place for the new dynasty.
In fact, Choson is the only dynasty had lasted for more than 500 years since 14century.
It could be thanks to the location of the capital, whether you believe or not.
What I’d like to say in this posting is Deoksugung is so nice place in downtown.
In two respects, the scenery of Deoksugung is special
The first one is the scene of the building from the old palace.
This subtle contrast makes people so comfortable.
I don’t know where this comfort comes from.
But what I could tell you is that I have felt comfort whenever I am staying in Deoksugung.
Of course, this kinds of feeling is very personal. Some one might feel nervous in other hands.
In my guess, the comfort what I have felt seemed to be originated from the distance from the modern building.
Our life in contemporary time is so competitive, while sitting in old palace, you could forget and escape from the tensions forced by outward from me
The Second thing what I have felt good in Deoksugung was the scene of the trees.
In Deoksugung, You could find the beauty of the pine trees.
In Korean novel society, the pine tree has special meaning in Confucian philosophy.
The meaning of the pine tree is the Royalty to the king.
Royalty to the king and the filial piety were the most important virtue in Confucian Society.
In the old village, You could see many monument for the filial piety.
Anyway the Royalty and the Filial piety were recognized having same root.
The reason why the pine tree had been symbolized was it’s green color.
The color of the pine tree have sustained green during color all seasons.
The Royalty to King never had been changed in Confucian Society.
In this respect, the collapse of the dynasty had been caused by the threat from the outside.
The change of the dynasty caused by the explosion of the internal contradiction was rare case.
I don’t know the reason why the pine trees are so nice in Deoksugung.
Actually, it is not easy to notice about the pine trees in Deoksugung, if you don’t concentrate.
It seemed that waning dynasty‘d like to hold the Royalty to King with the pine trees.
Next time I will post relating on the buildings in Deoksugung