Tomb of Munmu of Silla
| Tomb of Munmu of Silla | |
|---|---|
| 문무대왕릉 (Korean) | |
.jpg) The tomb, viewed from the coast (2018) | |
Interactive map of Tomb of Munmu of Silla | |
| 35°44′17″N 129°29′05″E / 35.7381906°N 129.4846487°E | |
| Type | Mausoleum |
Official name | Tomb of King Munmu, Gyeongju |
| Designated | 1967-07-244 |
| Reference no. | 158 |
The tomb of Munmu, the 30th king of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, is located off the coast at Bonggil village, Yangbuk township, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.[1] It is designated as a Historic Site of South Korea.
Location and Description
The tomb of Munmu of Silla is one of the few intentionally constructed underwater tombs in the world. It is located near the coast of Bonggil-ri, South Korea. It looks like a small rocky island from a distance. At low tide, the many small rocks surrounding the tomb are visible, looking like pillars. There is a depression in the centre of the largest rock; water flows in and out of it during tides. The monument built on the rocks collapsed shortly after being built. Two large sections and one small stone of the monument have been discovered so far. The Gyeongju National Museum is in charge of the tomb.[2][3]
History
Silla Dynasty
Munmu of Silla (626–681) unified the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He began building military facilities and along the eastern coast of Korea to prevent Japan from invading. He also started building a Buddhist temple, but fell ill and died before it was completed. He left a will stating that his body should be cremated in accordance with Buddhist ceremony and his ashes should be buried in the East Sea.[4][5] After his death, his son King Sinmun completed the temple in 682 CE and named it Kamŭnsa. Munmu's tomb was constructed in the sea under the belief that he would become a dragon and protect the land from invasion.
Tombstone
Because Munmu was buried among sea rocks, his tombstone could not be placed near his body. It is assumed that his tombstone was built at Sacheonwang Temple. This temple is mentioned in the historical record Samguk sagi.[6]
After the fall of Silla, Munmu of Silla's was lost. Its existence was confirmed by Hong Yang-ho in 1760, and reconfirmed by scholar Kim Jeong-hui, who visited Gyeongju in 1817. The lower part of the tombstone was discovered in 1961, and the higher part of tombstone was discovered in 2009 by a gas inspector when it was used as a laundry stone in a house in eastern Gyeongju.[6]
Cultural activities
The tomb of Munmu is associated with various festivals held nearby.
Chunhyang Daeje
Chunhyang Daeje is a festivals commemorating ancestors, held in early spring. More than 900 people participate in it.[7]
Sunrise festival
Every New Year's Day, the sunrise festival is celebrated near the tomb of Munmu.[8]
King Munmu culture festival
The city of Gyeongju organizes various traditional cultural events honoring King Munmu in front of his tomb. On the first day of the event, the royal procession from Kamŭnsa temple to the tomb of King Munmu is reenacted. Kites are flown, and various rituals dedicated to King Munmu are performed.[9]
Gallery
See also
References
- ↑ Kim, Yu-gyeong (28 October 2010). "문무왕릉과 무속인이 어우러지는 그곳, 감포" [The place where the tomb of King Munmu and shamans blend, Gampo]. Pressian (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-05-13.
- ↑ "문무 대왕릉(경주시 양북면 동해안로)" [The Tomb of King Munmu(Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk, the donghaean)]. Hankooki. Retrieved 2018-06-07.
- ↑ "The tomb of King Munmu". Encyclopedia of the Korea Culture (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-06-03.
- ↑ "[유적지 보GO 역사도 알GO] '문무 대왕릉'(경주시 양북면 동해안로)". Retrieved 2018-06-25.
- ↑ "용의 전설 흐르는 바다 속 문무대왕릉" [The legend of the dragon, the tomb of King Munmu in the sea]. Visitkorea (in Korean). 2016-09-21. Retrieved 2018-05-13.
- 1 2 Kim, Hei-tae (2018-03-16). "빨랫돌로 쓰던 돌덩이, 알고보니 왕의 비석" [Stone used to be used as laundry stone, it turned out to be the king's tombstone.]. OhmyNews. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
- ↑ "원자력환경공단, 문무대왕릉 춘향대제ㆍ이견대 정화활동" [Nuclear Environment Corporation, Festival and the cleaning actions for Igyeondae]. Joongdo News (in Korean). 5 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-06-24.
- ↑ Kim, Jae-won (2015-01-02). "경주 문무대왕릉 해룡축제" [The sea dragon festival of the tomb of King Munmu of Silla in Gyeongju]. Newsis. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
- ↑ "경주시, 제1회 통일기원 '문무대왕 문화제' 개최" [Gyeongju, The 1st Unification Origination of King Munmu Culture Festival]. Asia Today (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-06-25.