Simple Cutting of Eulalia at Taejo Geonwon Tomb... Impact of COVID-19

Last year's scene of grass cutting at Geonwonneung

[Asia Economy Reporter Jonggil Lee] The annual event of cutting silver grass at Taejo Geonwonneung (健元陵) on Hansik will be held in a simplified manner due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The Cultural Heritage Administration's Royal Tombs and Relics Headquarters announced on the 3rd that the ‘Cheongwan Yechoe’?the cutting of silver grass on the burial mound at Taejo Geonwonneung in Donggureung, Guri, on Hansik day, the 5th?will be conducted without citizen participation, unlike previous years.

Taejo Yi Seong-gye (1335?1408) wished to be buried in his hometown of Hamheung. Unable to fulfill this wish, King Taejong (1367?1422) brought silver grass growing in Hamheung and planted it on his father's burial mound when constructing the tomb. For this reason, unlike other tombs covered with grass, the burial mound of Geonwonneung is abundant with sacho (莎草; the practice of covering and grooming the tomb with a type of sedge). Joseon royal tombs are usually mowed up to seven times from May to September. However, the silver grass at Geonwonneung is cut only on Hansik. For the past eight years, this has been conducted as a spring ritual (jeolhyang, 節享). This year, following the silver grass cutting, the usual Goyu-je (告由祭) and Eumbok-rye (飮福禮) will not be held. Goyu-je is a ritual to announce the removal of the silver grass, and Eumbok-rye is the procedure of tasting the ritual food.

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