• Journal of Korean Historical Folklife
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• no.45
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• pp.7-50
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• 2014

This study focuses on the funeral rites for Queen Wongyeong during the early Joseon period as part of a review of the changes in the state funeral system and ceremonial procedures. Conducted by the king in his role as chief mourner, the state funeral for King Taejong's wife Queen Wongyeong that emerged during the 2nd year of King Sejong marked the first example recorded in the sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty) of the three year-mourning rite being applied. In terms of the clothing for the state funeral, the significance of Jolgok (a rite conducted on the 100th day following the day of death) was emphasized, while the existing yeokwolje (period of wearing mourning clothes, one month was equated with one day) was abandoned. The existing temporary office system for state funerals was reorganized into a three-office system consisting of the Binjeon dogam (Office for Chapel of Rest), Gukjang dogam (Office for Funeral Rites), and Salleung dogam (Office for the Establishment of Royal Tombs). Buddhism-related rites greatly decreased and were increasingly regulated. The ceremonial procedures were also modified in accordance with the rites directly conducted by the king during the three-year mourning period. The basic pattern of the ceremonial procedure consisted of kneeling / wailing - salute - kneeling/ wailing, and, based on the wuje (rites to console the deceased), was divided into 'make offerings to the deceased' (奠, jeon) and 'hold a memorial service for the deceased' (祭, je). This reflected the differing perceptions of jeon (奠) and je (祭) following the establishment of auspicious rites (gillye) during the reign of King Taejong. In short, the state funeral for Queen Wongyeong provides materials with which to analyze the establishment of the funeral rites and ceremonial procedures designed based on the actual three-year mourning period observed by the king, study the ritual ceremonies conducted during the ancient period, as well as foster an understanding of ancient systems.