Yundojang (Geomantic Compass Making)

Yundojang is a craftsman who makes a geomantic compass with the 24 directions drawn in a circle. The yundo is an essential instrument that uses a magnetic needle pointing north and south, used by geomancers (jigwan) when examining pungsu, the art of siting a house or a grave, and also used in astronomy and travel. The origin of the name is unknown, but it first appears in Joseon-period documents, and is also called nachimban, jinamcheol, jinamban, or paecheol. In Korea, the geomantic compass developed from the late Silla period, and in the early Goryeo period it was linked to pungsu-eumyang-jiri, the geomantic yin-yang divination of the land, and used as the most important instrument for the geomancers and jigwan who read the configuration of the land. From the Joseon period it moved beyond being the exclusive tool of geomancers and was also used by travellers; for astronomers in particular, it was essential for setting the meridian that fixed true north and south on portable sundials. The yundo consists of directional names arranged around the central compass needle, based fundamentally on 24 directions, and incorporating yin-yang, the five elements, the eight trigrams, the ten heavenly stems and the twelve earthly branches. The directional names themselves are formed by combining the eight trigrams, the ten heavenly stems and the twelve earthly branches.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Location not stated, Jeonbuk

Designation

National Intangible Heritage · 국가무형유산