The Review of Korean Studies
- P-ISSN1229-0076
- E-ISSN2773-9351
- SCOPUS, ESCI
ISSN : 1229-0076
The Introduction of a Formal Garden as a Sign of the Diffusion of Geomancy (P’ungsu) to the Korean Peninsula
Abstract
Geomancy (p’ungsu in Korean and fengshui in Chinese) is the ancient Chinese art of landscape evaluation when choosing auspicious sites for houses, public buildings, settlements, and graves. The art of geomancy seemed to have originated from the Loess Plateau, North China and its well-developed form was introduced to Korea with an early wave of the cultural diffusion from China before or during the Three Kingdom’s Period. This paper proposes that the appearance of formal gardens (Chinese gardens with ponds) is a sign of the diffusion of geomancy to the Korean Peninsula. This argument is based on the following two points: firstly, both geomancy and the art of creating gardens share the same purpose of creating an ideal environment for humans. A garden is more than a collection and display of beautiful plants and trees. It represents a human endeavour to create an ideal environment for human habitation. Gardens are reorganisations of nature in a way that humans see as most ideal (beautiful). The art of geomancy is also an attempt to choose a most auspicious site and to create an ideal residence or grave on it. Secondly, Chinese garden art and geomancy share similar views on the quality of water: a pond or a watercourse should be in front of a house, not behind the house. This classical Chinese garden principle is an application of the geomantic idea that vital energy travels through soil, but stops when the energy meets water, for it cannot cross through the water. The ancient art of garden making incorporates much of these geomantic principles. Therefore, I suggest that the appearance of palace gardens in Koguryŏ, Paekche, and Silla during The Three Kingdoms Period is a sign of the diffusion of geomancy to the Korean Peninsula.
- keywords
- geomancy (p’ungsu or fengshui), garden, garden pond, vital energy, Paekche, Korea
Reference
Aoki, Kazuo et al., eds. 1989-2000. Shoku Nihongi 續日本紀 [The Sequel to the Nihongi]. Vol. 1 of Shin Nihon Koten bungaku taikei [The New Grand Collection of Japanese Classical Literature]. Tokyo: Iwanami shoten.
Aston, W. G., trans. 1956. Nihongi 日本紀 [Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD 697]. Book XVII. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.
Choi, Changjo 최창조. 1997. Han’gukui Chasaeng P’ungsu 한국의 자생풍수 [Korean Origin Geomancy]. Seoul: Minumsa.
Fu, Sheng 伏勝. 1937. Shangshu dachuan 尙書大傳 [Great Tradition of the Book of Documents]. Shanghai: Shangwu Yinshuguan.
Guo, Pu 郭璞. 1875. Zangjing, neipian 藏經 內篇 [The Book of Burial, the Inner Volume]. 5th case of Chongwen Shuju Heikeshu 崇文書局彙刻書. Wuhan: Hubei Chongwen Shuju.
Ilyon 一然. 1969. Samgukyusa 三國遺事 [Memorabilia of the Three Kingdom]. Translated into modern Korean by Cheho Yi. Seoul: Kwangmun chulpansa.
Kim, Pushik 金富軾. 1987. Samguksagi 三國史記 [History of Three Kingdoms]. Translated into modern Korean by Pyongdo Yi. Vol. 1-2. Seoul: Ulji munhwasa.
Lee, Ki-baek 李基白. 1994. “Han’guk piungsuchirisol-ui kiwon” 한국 風水地理說의 기원 [The Origin of Korean Geomancy]. Han’guksa siminkangchoa 韓國史 市民講座 [Korean History Lectures for the Citizens] 14: 1-17.
Nobuyoshi, Furuhashi 古橋信孝. 1998. Heiankyo no toshi seikatsu to kogai 平安京の都市生活と郊外 [Suburbs and City Life of Heianyo]. Tokyo: Yoshikawa Kobunkan.
Pak, Yongsuk 朴容淑. 1975. Shinhwachegero pon Han’guk Misullon 神話體系로 본 韓國美術論 [Korean Art History as Seen through the Mythological System]. Seoul: Ilchisa.
Yoon, H-k. 2006a. The Culture of Fengshui in Korea. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Yoon, H-k. 2006b. “P’ungsuchirisolui Hanbandowa Ilbonyoldo chonpa’e taehan pikyokochal” 풍수지리설의 한반도와 일본열도 전파에 대한 비교고찰 [A Comparative Approach on the Diffusion of Geomancy to Korea and Japan]. Paper presented at the World Congress of Korean Studies 2006, Cheju, Korea, October 28-29.
Yoon, H-k. 2009. “P’ungsuchirisolui Hanbando chonpa’e taehan yongu’eso sekaji koryohal jom” 풍수지리설의 한반도 전파에 대한 연구에서 세가지 고려할 점 [The Three Important Points to Be Considered in the Study of the Diffusion of Geomancy (P’ungsu) into the Korean Peninsula]. Han’guk Kodaesa T’amgu 한국고대사 탐구 [Sogang Journal of Early Korean History] 2: 95-124.
Yoshio, Watanabe 渡部欣雄. 2006. “Ilbon p’ungsusa: kwahak kwa chomsul ui yoksa” 일본 풍수사: 과학과 점술의 역사 [Two Kinds of P’ungsu History in Japan: Science and Divination]. Paper presented at International Symposium P’ungsu/Fengshui in Est Asia, The National Folk Museum of Korea, Seoul, July 11.
- Downloaded
- Viewed
- 0KCI Citations
- 0WOS Citations