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 Home >> Big Event >> Traditional event
  King Gojong and Queen Myeongseong¡¯s Marriage Ceremony
King Gojong and Queen Myeongseong¡¯s royal wedding was held at Unhyeongung. Visitors can see view for their very own e...
Korean Marriage Custom
Marriage has been a very important event in individual's lives regardless of nationality. In Korea, people were not con...

Traditional Events; an exciting opportunity to witness
Korea's rich cultural heritage






In an attempt to preserve a rapidly fading traditional culture, and to teach future generations, reenactments of significant ceremonies are held regularly in Korea. These events offer a unique opportunity for tourists to view our beautiful old costumes and experience ceremonies which were once at the heart of Korean life.

The most representative traditional event of all is the reenactment of the Korean wedding ceremony. The ceremony followed traditions from the teaching of Confucianism during the Joseon Dynasty. Each aspect of the complicated ceremony was taken very seriously. In those days, the marriage between a man and woman represented the joining of two families, rather than the joining of two individuals.

Today in Korea, the reenactment of this ceremony is performed with the same precision and respect. The bride and groom, clothed in colourful traditional wedding costumes, face each other across the wedding table and take turns to bow. Candles, pine, bamboo, rice, chestnut, jujube and glasses of alcohol are laid out on the table. Each item symbolizes the importance of a lifelong union. Traditional Korean wedding reenactment can be seen   Mon. and Fri. at 1:30 pm in the Korean House, located in Chungmuro. (subway line No.3 or line No.4-exit No.4)

Throughout history there is little to compare with the glamour and extravagence of a royal wedding. Twice a year in Korea there is exciting opportunity to see a reenactment of the royal wedding ceremony of King Gojong and Queen Myeongseong of the Joseon Dynasty. The steps and formalities of the wedding ceremony were very strict and complicated.

The wedding formalities were arranged as the nation's standing rules. In a traditional Korean wedding, the groom is supposed to go to the bride's house and bring the bride home, even royal families followed that tradition. But for kings, an elaborate banquet for thousands of guests was held when the king went for the bride. The celebrations would last for several months. The reenactment is held at the Unhyeon-gung Palace twice a year, on 21st of April and on 29th of October from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. To get to Unhyeon-gung, (get off at Anguk station on the subway line No.3-exit No.4)

In addition to the wedding ceremonies, you can also experience the Sumunjang (Royal Guard) changing ceremony. This is a traditional Korean version of the "changing of the guards" at Buckingham Palace, London. The ceremony takes place at the Daehanmun Gate of Deoksu-gung Palace ( get off at City Hall station on the subway line No.1-exit No.1 / or get off at City Hall station on the subway line No.1-exit No.3 and walk for 3 minutes. )

There is opportunity to witness "Yeongsanjae", the traditional rites of prayer which are   recited 40 days after a funeral. This is open at Pongwon-sa, Seodaenmun-gu on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month (get off at Sinchon station on the subway line and take Maeul-bus No.1 to Bongwon-sa)



 
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