Donhwamun
Gate of Changdeokgung in Seoul, South Korea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Donhwamun (Korean: 돈화문; Hanja: 敦化門) is the main and south gate of the palace Changdeokgung in Seoul, South Korea. It is a designated Treasure of South Korea and the oldest extant gate of all Joseon palaces.[2] It was completed in 1412, destroyed in 1592, rebuilt in 1607 or 1608, and has since survived to the present.
| Donhwamun | |
|---|---|
The gate (2022) | |
 Interactive map of the Donhwamun area | |
| General information | |
| Location | Changdeokgung, Seoul, South Korea |
| Coordinates | 37.577°N 126.989°E |
| Completed | 22nd day, 5th month of 1412 |
| Design and construction | |
| Designations | |
| Official name | Donhwamun Gate of Changdeokgung Palace |
| Designated | 1963-01-21[1] |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 돈화문 |
| Hanja | 敦化門 |
| RR | Donhwamun |
| MR | Tonhwamun |
Name
It is named after a phrase "大德敦化" from the Chinese text Doctrine of the Mean. That phrase has been interpreted in this context as "to govern with a warm heart and edify with virtue".[3]
History
It was completed on the 22nd day, 5th month of 1412.[4] In 1413, a bill was hung at the gate.[5] It was renovated in 1418.[6] It was destroyed in 1592, during the Imjin War.[7] It was reconstructed in 1607[8] or 1608.[9] There are no records of it being destroyed thereafter, although it was restored or remodeled on a number of occasions.[7] There is a wŏltae (월대; elevated platform) in front of the gate. The wŏltae was demolished in the early 1900s to accommodate the entry of royal vehicles.[2] The wŏltae and gate were restored to their pre-colonial states in 1997.[10] The gate has a second floor that contains a bell and drum used to signal emergencies. The head of a rebel leader was hung at the gate in 1728.[3]
