The Architectural Prototype of Chil-Gung Shrine and Myomunoejeongak

This study explores the architectural composition of Chil-gung, the collective name for seven shrines originally located separately: Jeogyeonggung, Yuksanggung, Yeonhogung, Seonhuigung, Daebingung, Gyeong'ugung, and Deok'angung. These shrines honored the biological mothers of kings, whose memorial rites could not be performed at Jongmyo. Each shrine was originally situated in a location connected to the individual it commemorated. In 1753, the Royal Shrines and Tombs system elevated shrines like Yuksanggung and Jeogyeonggung to the status of state ceremonies. Compared to other types of shrines, such as Gyeongmogung and Munhuimyo, the shrines dedicated to royal mothers share architectural features, including the Myomunoejeongak, where the King's bowing plate is placed in front of the shrine, and a main building of 3x2 bays. These features remain evident in Yuksanggung and paintings of <Gyeong’ugung-Dohyeong>. However, Daebingung deviates from these commonalities as it was initially excluded from the royal shrine system. The merger in 1908 and the subsequent merger with Deok’angung formed the present-day Chil-gung. This consolidation also simplified the rituals of each shrine, resulting in significant omissions in the ritual spaces. These changes reflect the abbreviated ceremonial practices within the current Chil-gung layout.