Sajikdan Altar

Together with Jongmyo Shrine, this is where sacrifices were offered to the god of the land and the god of grain. When King Taejo, founder of Joseon, established the capital at Hanyang and built the palace and Jongmyo Shrine, this altar was built alongside them. Guksadan, where sacrifices were offered to the god of the land, was placed on the east side, and Gukjikdan, where sacrifices were offered to the god of grain, was placed on the west side, with the spirit seat of each facing north. Rites were held in the second and eighth lunar months, and at the winter solstice and on the last day of the twelfth month. Rites praying for rain during droughts and for a good harvest, as well as major state ceremonies, were also held here. In 1902 Sajikdan and the Sajikseo, the office that administered it, were moved elsewhere, and the Japanese, in order to sever Korea's sajik — the altars symbolising the nation — and demean the Korean people, lowered the altar's status and turned it into a park. Sajik Park, formally established as a park in 1940, occupies the site of the former Sajikdan. Note: the name was changed from 'Seoul Sajikdan' to 'Sajikdan Altar' (announced 28 July 2011).

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Designation

Historic Site · 사적