Day Six: Changdeokgung Palace

Today our group visited the Changdeokgung Palace, the secondary palace to the primary palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace. This was built in 1412 and was a place of residence for the kings of the Joseon dynasty. While visiting this palace I quickly noticed the intentional integration of the palace's architecture, telling of culture and beliefs, and the environment. Trees, stones, and flowers all held significant meaning. Mulberry trees were encouraged to be planted and were placed throughout Changdeokgung. It was an important tree for South Korea as sericulture (silkworm farming) and agriculture were the main industries at the time. The queen would raise silkworms to set an example for the nation. In part of the Secret Garden, one of the many beautiful areas within the palace that integrated ecosystems and the environment, there is a circular pavilion known as Aeryeonjeong that rests in the middle of the pond. Lily pads and lotus flowers were floating atop the pond and around the Aeryeonjeong pavilion. These lotus flowers were seen throughout each of the ponds within the palace. I later learned that the lotus flowers represent purification since they purify the water they grow in. The flower was intentionally placed to symbolize the kings of the Joseon dynasty of their role in purifying their area of rule. Stones were also placed throughout the palace area as a symbol of the heavens and represented the beliefs and culture of South Korea. While visiting Changeokgung, I realized that the environment can contain many important symbologies and tell the stories of time and culture without saying a word.