"Block the Bad Energy" National Palace Museum Ingeom Exhibition

Royal Ceremonial Sword "Praying for Royal Peace and Emphasizing the Duty Between Monarch and Subjects"

To celebrate the Year of the Tiger, the National Palace Museum of Korea is showcasing the 'Ingeom (寅劒)' in the permanent exhibition hall's Science and Culture Room. The 'In (寅)' character refers to the time periods (year, month, day, hour) during which this ceremonial sword was made for the royal court. It was specially crafted by selected artisans using old iron. 'In' symbolizes the positive energy that wards off evil spirits. It also represents 'Ui (義),' meaning righteousness, which signifies the duties between the king and his subjects.

The National Palace Museum of Korea holds twenty-two Ingeom swords in its collection. The Ingeom on display features the name 'Saingeom' inscribed on the blade along with twenty-seven Chinese characters and a Sanskrit mantra. On the opposite side, the Big Dipper and twenty-eight constellations are engraved in gold. Another sword bears the name 'Samingeom,' with the Big Dipper providing a contrasting design. A museum official explained, "By invoking the sacred power of the heavens, these swords were intended not only to ward off evil spirits but also to pray for the royal family's well-being and to emphasize the loyalty between the king and his ministers." They added, "We hope that everyone can drive away bad energy and find peace through the Ingeom."

The exhibition is conducted in compliance with COVID-19 safety guidelines. Visitors can also enjoy narrated videos on the National Palace Museum of Korea’s website and YouTube channel, as well as on the Cultural Heritage Administration’s YouTube channel.

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