Here rests royal history. We stand before Moryeung the tomb of King Seonjo. Moryeung also holds his two queens. Queen Uinmok and Queen Inmok.
Moryeung offers a glimpse into Joseon Dynasty royal burials. It reflects changing customs. This is a story of love. It includes power and relocation.
King Seonjo was the 14th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. He reigned during a turbulent time. The late 16th century was marked by factional strife. There were also devastating invasions.
Queen Uinmok Park, his first queen, passed away in 1600. She was laid to rest here. This site was initially called Yureung. It was a separate burial.
King Seonjo died eight years later in 1608. He was first buried on the western slope of Geonwolleung. The tomb was named Sukreung. But the name sounded too similar to another royal tomb. So it was renamed Moryeung.
However, Moryeung faced problems. The site suffered from poor conditions. Concerns arose about the quality of the location. In 1630, it was moved to its present location. This combined King Seonjo’s tomb with Queen Uinmok’s Yureung. They were united in Moryeung.
Queen Inmok Kim became Seonjo’s second queen. She was interred here after her death in 1632. Her tomb was initially called Hwireung. Yet due to space concerns, all three tombs became Moryeung.
Moryeung is unique. It is the only cluster of three separate tomb mounds from the Joseon Dynasty. Each mound belongs to a different royal figure. They are King Seonjo and his two queens.
Notice the layout before you. The tombs share the same grounds. But each has its own distinct area. This arrangement is called a “same hill different mound” configuration. From the front, King Seonjo’s mound is on the left. Queen Uinmok’s is in the center. Queen Inmok’s mound is on the right.
The tomb of King Seonjo follows typical royal tomb construction. Stone figures guard the area. There are also various structures. These elements reflect the king’s status.
The mounds of Queen Uinmok and Queen Inmok are simpler. They only feature a memorial stele. The other stone structures are absent. This difference reflects the Queens’ status. Also the changes happened after the Imjin War.
The flower patterns engraved on Queen Uinmok’s tomb are special. They were a new style at that time. Later, they influenced other royal tombs.
The T-shaped wooden shrine facing Seonjo’s tomb. It serves all three mounds. This is unique among Joseon royal tombs. It is an example of the architecture. The shrine is designated as a treasure.
Moryeung stands as a testament. It shows the lives of King Seonjo. Also his queens. It reflects their final resting place. It showcases evolving traditions in Joseon royal burials.