'COVID-19, Begone!' Geumgapjanggun Returns to Gwanghwamun

Gyeongbokgung Management Office Attaches Munbaedo to Pray for Overcoming COVID-19

Hwagyeongdang Munbaedo

The Cultural Heritage Administration's Palace and Royal Tombs Headquarters Gyeongbokgung Management Office announced on the 8th that from the 11th to the 14th, they will attach a Munbae-do (門排圖) depicting Geumgapjanggun (the general wearing golden armor) at Gwanghwamun to pray for overcoming COVID-19. 'Munbae' is a custom of pasting paintings on the main gate of the palace on the first day of the lunar new year to ward off evil spirits and seek blessings. The paintings produced and attached by Dohwaseo (the royal painting office) at this time are called 'Munbae-do.' Park Jiha, an official at the Gyeongbokgung Management Office, explained, "It is a custom that spread to the private sector during the late Joseon period."

Records about Munbae are included in Joseon-era literature such as 'Yeollyang Sesigi,' 'Dongguk Sesigi,' and 'Yukjeon Jorye.' Its actual form was revealed during the 2015 restoration and reproduction of the Korean Empire Legation in Washington, USA, by the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation. A photo of Gwanghwamun found in the U.S. Library of Congress showed the specific iconography of Munbae-do. Official Park said, "It was confirmed that a Munbae-do depicting Geumgapjanggun was attached to Gwanghwamun in the late 19th century."

Photo of Gwanghwamun discovered at the U.S. Library of Congress

The Gyeongbokgung Management Office planned to attach Munbae-do to comfort the hearts of citizens exhausted by COVID-19. Since it was difficult to reproduce based solely on the photo held by the U.S. Library of Congress, they created it based on an artifact owned by the Hwakyungdang main house of the Pungsan Ryu clan in Hahoe Village, Andong, which is uniquely preserved in complete form and shows a connection to the royal family. Official Park said, "Originally, it should be made of paper and attached, but since removal could damage Gwanghwamun, it will be attached in a banner form that is easy to attach and detach." He added, "We will also illuminate it at night to show the diverse appearance of Gwanghwamun."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.