The Eight Gates of Seoul

The Eight Gates of Seoul are eight historical gates that were located in the Fortress Wall of Seoul, South Korea, which surrounded the city in the Joseon Dynasty. Six of these gates exist today (2018). All eight gates were originally built between 1396 and 1398.

Heunginjimun, Seoul, South Korea

Introduction

locations of 8 gates and 2 palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung)

The Eight Gates were based roughly in the four cardinal and four intermediate directions of the compass. Of the eight gates, the North, South, East, and West were known as the “Four Great Gates” (사대문), while the Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest gates were known as the “Four Small Gates” (사소문).

Of the eight gates, two (West and Southwest) no longer exist. Memorials are currently placed roughly where the West and Southwest gates once stood (July 2012). There has been discussion and announcements about rebuilding the West Gate,[1] but no construction has yet been undertaken (as of July 2012) for this gate.

On February 10, 2008, the South Gate was severely damaged in a fire set by an arsonist. The gate was rebuilt over five years, and reopened to the public on May 4, 2013.[2] This gate has the designation of National Treasure No. 1 of South Korea. Of the eight gates, the South and East gates are the largest, and both are located in busy market areas (Namdaemun Market and Dongdaemun Market, respectively).

Besides these eight cardinal gates, many other gates with important histories exist in Seoul, such as Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace; Daehanmun, the main gate of Deoksugung Palace; Dongnimmun, also known as Independence Gate; and the remnants of Yeongeunmun, located next to Dongnimmun in Seoul's Seodaemun Independence Park.

Names of the Gates

The eight gates have had various names over the centuries, and may still be referenced by different names. The charts below give the most common names for the gates. Official names and spellings are taken from signage currently found at and on the gates themselves. Note that Hanja is read right-to-left at times, and left-to right at other times. Thus, the character for "gate" (mun, ) may appear either on the left or right side of actual signboards.

The Four Great Gates

signboard
North GateEast GateSouth GateWest Gate
Official namesRomanizationSukjeongmunHeunginjimunSungnyemunDonuimun
Korean Hangul숙정문흥인지문숭례문돈의문
Sino-Korean Hanja肅靖門興仁之門崇禮門敦義門
literal translation[3]Rule Solemnly GateRising Benevolence GateExalted Ceremonies GateLoyalty Gate
directional namesRomanizationBukdaemunDongdaemunNamdaemunSeodaemun
Korean Hangul북대문동대문남대문서대문
Sino-Korean Hanja北大門東大門南大門西大門
literal meaning“north big gate”“east big gate”“south big gate”“west big gate”
other namesOriginally called Sukcheongmun.Originally called Heunginmun (slightly different from present name).
notes- Originally built in 1396.[4]- Originally built 1398. Present construction dates from 1869.[5]- Originally built in 1398.

- Heavily damaged by fire in 2008. Reopened in May 2013.

- Originally built 1396.

- No longer exists. Torn down in 1915 during the Japanese colonial period.[1] Plans to reopen exists, and is presumed to start at 2022.

The Four Small Gates

signboard
Northwest GateNortheast GateSoutheast GateSouthwest Gate
official namesRomanizationChanguimunHyehwamunGwanghuimunSouimun
Korean Hangul창의문혜화문광희문소의문
Sino-Korean Hanja彰義門惠化門光熙門昭義門
literal translation[6]Showing the Correct Thing GateDistribution of Wisdom GateBright Light GatePromotion of Justice Gate
directional namesRomanizationBuksomunDongsomunNamsomunSeosomun
Korean Hangul북소문동소문남소문서소문
Sino-Korean Hanja北小門東小門南小門西小門
literal meaning"north small gate""east small gate""south small gate""west small gate"
other namesJahamun.[7]Originally called Honghwamun.[8]Originally called Sugumun ("Water Channel Gate")Originally called Sodeokmun.
notes- Originally built 1396.

- Gatehouse was burned down in 1592, and rebuilt in 1740. The gate currently has the oldest gatehouse of the small gates.

- Originally built in 1396.

- Destroyed during the Japanese colonial period, but restored in 1992.

- Originally built in 1396.

- Rebuilt 1711-1719. Largely destroyed during the Korean War, but restored in 1976.[9]

- Originally built 1396 but

no longer exists. Torn down in 1914 during the Korea under Japanese rule/Japanese colonial period.

Images of the Gates

gate
front view
other view
Northwest Gate

Changuimun

Changuimun Gate, Seoul, Korea
Changuimun Gate, rear view, Seoul, Korea
North Gate

Sukjeongmun

Sukjeongmun Gate, Seoul, Korea
Sukjeongmun Gate, rear view, Seoul, Korea
Northeast Gate

Hyehwamun

Hyehwamun Gate, Seoul, Korea
Hyehwamun Gate, detail, Seoul, Korea
East Gate

Heunginjimun

Heunginjimun Gate, Seoul, Korea
Heunginjimun Gate, side view, Seoul, Korea
Southeast Gate

Gwanghuimun

Gwanghuimun Gate, Seoul, Korea
Gwanghuimun Gate, with Fortress Wall, Seoul, Korea
South Gate

Sungnyemun

Sungnyemun Gate, Seoul, Korea. Front of gate, photographed April, 2013
Sungnyemun Gate, Seoul, Korea. Rear of gate, photographed April, 2013
Southwest Gate

Souimun (No longer exists)

Souimun Gate historical image, Seoul, Korea
Souimun Gate marker, Seoul, Korea
West Gate

Donuimun (No longer exists)

Donuimun Gate, Seoul, Korea
Donuimun Gate Memorial, Seoul, Korea

See also

Notes

Citations

  1. "Seoul City to Restore Ancient West Gate". Chosun Ilbo.
  2. Hanano, Natasha (1 May 2013). "Sungnyemun: South Korean National [Treasure] Reopens After [Five] Year Restoration". Travelers Today. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  3. "The Gates and Walls of Seoul". Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.
  4. "Sukjeongmun Gate". Visit Korea.
  5. "Heunginjimun Gate". Exploring Korea. Archived from the original on 2012-06-11.
  6. "The Gates and Walls of Seoul". Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.
  7. "Changuimun Gate (Jahamun Gate)". Visit Korea.
  8. "Hyehwamun Gate (Honghwamun Gate)". Visit Korea.
  9. "Gwanghuimun Gate". Exploring Korea. Archived from the original on 2012-06-11. Retrieved 2012-06-18.

References

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