The Spring of Gyeongbokgung Palace

Spring is a season of start. With new flowers and plants growing, people start a new year full of hope and dreams. Everywhere we go in Korea, we can see flowers with light pink and yellow color-based decorations, making us recognize the blooming season. Another place we can feel the spring coming from a mile away is Gyeongbokgung Palace.

You might wonder. Does that mean that Gyeongbokgung decorates inside with decorations? The answer is yes and no. Yes, Gyeongbokgung is decorated as spring approaches, but no, it is not human who decorates it. It is nature that has continued to exist since it was first built.

The spring of the Gyeongbokgung palace is always beautiful, with countless types of flowers and memorable scenery of colorful buildings that give a different vibe from other seasons. Out of various places, the outstanding building that provides irreplaceable memories is Jagyeongjeon Hall.

Jagyeongjeon Hall was originally a place where the mother of 24th King Heonjong stayed after the reign of her son. This building is widely known as the present from the 26th king Gojong’s father, Heungseondaewongun, who was the royal family member but without any power. Heungseondaewongun wanted to make his son the king of Joseon but had no authority, so he asked for help from the mother of Heonjong. After Gojong became the king, Heungseondaewongun gifted Jagyeongjeon Hall to Heonjong’s mother to express her gratitude.

Jagyeongjeon Hall with its interesting history has more interesting icons that are even more famous than the actual building. The beautiful apricot tree in front of the Hall is a famous icon of spring in Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is known to be first planted during the time of Japanese occupation after demolishing the buildings near and including Jagyeongjeon Hall.

Furthermore, the wall of Jagyeongjeon is known to have various plants, flowers, and fruits that symbolize each of the four seasons. Symbols include plum flowers, peaches, peonies, pomegranates, flowers, butterflies, chrysanthemums, azaleas, and bamboo. Out of these symbols, the Plum flower and peach represent the spring.

Surprisingly, recently in October of 2020, it was discovered that the reconstruction of the Flower wall of Jagyeongjeon is not accurate to what it looked like in the Joseon dynasty. Compared to the record, reconstruction was done differently after the Korean War. The Korean Heritage Service commented on reconstructing the wall with accurate sculpting and letters but did not declare the specific date and plan for the correction.

If you are planning to visit spring in Korea, I highly encourage you to visit palaces. It doesn’t only have to be Gyeongbokgung, but general palaces in Korea. Compared to other famous spring flower spots in Korea, palaces do have unique and special scenery that doubles the beauty when springtime arrives and flowers bloom.

Work Cited

Cultural Heritage Administration. Chimney with Ten Symbols of Longevity in Relief at Jagyeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Cultural Heritage Administration. Jagyeongjeon Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace.