Gyeonghoeru Pavilion - Seoul
Posted by: 
elyob
N 37° 34.753 E 126° 58.515
52S E 321211 N 4161056
The Pavilion of Joyous Meeting is part of the Gyeongbokgung Palace complex.
Waymark Code: WM17329
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Date Posted: 11/29/2022
Views: 1
This text is from the sign of history on site.
Gyeonghoeru stands as the largest elevated pavilion in Korea, and its architecture manifests the Oriental philosophy of the universe. The three bays at the center of the elevated floor symbolize heaven, earth and man, and the twelve bays outside them symbolize the twelve months of the year. The outermost 24 columns symbolize the 24 solar terms that mark particular astronomical or natural events of each year.
This elevated pavilion is found in the royal palace grounds of Gyeongbokgung. Gyeonghoeru is surrounded by a man-made pond. The original construction of Gyeonghoeru dates back to the early 1400s.
Gyeonghoeru is deep within the palace complex. While exploring Gyeongbokgung Palace, take the passageway west from Cheonchujeon Hall. The pond will confirm you are nearing the Gyeonghoeru.
The following description is from the Cultural Heritage Administration
website.
King Taejo, founder of the Joseon kingdom and builder of Gyeongbokgung Palace, had this pavilion erected in this man-made lake in the western section of the palace. He named it Gyeonghoeru, or pavilion of Joyous Meeting. It is now the largest elevated pavilion in Korea. King Taejong (r.1400-1418) commissioned Park Ja-cheong to supervise construction on the pavilion and the lake. Minister Park built a square island supported by long stones and constructed the larger pavilion. Forty-eight stone pillars, sculptured with dragons, supported the second floor.
Two more islets were made in it. During the Japanese aggression in 1592, the original Gyeonghoeru Pavilion was burned down, leaving only the stone supports. When Gyeongbokgung was built in 1867, the fourth year of the reign of King Gojong, the pavilion was reconstructed. The pillars were replaced by new ones that lack the splendor of the former. But animals were carved on the stone bridges and railings. There are such stone structures as the Lotus Pond, Lotus Platform, and dragon-shaped conduits along the lake. This pavilion was used for royal banquets during the Joseon period and is used today for special functions. (National Treasure No.224)