Hwasun Ongjuhongmun Gate

This is a hongmun — a gate honouring a woman's fidelity to her husband — commemorating the chastity of Princess Hwasun. The great-grandmother of Kim Jeong-hui (Chusa) and second daughter of King Yeongjo of Joseon (r. 1724–1776), she refused to eat after her husband Kim Han-sin died at the age of 38, unable to overcome her grief. Despite her father King Yeongjo's efforts to dissuade her, she could not overcome her sorrow and eventually died herself. King Yeongjo praised his daughter's fidelity to her husband, but, regretting that she had not heeded his wishes, did not grant her a yeollyeomun (memorial gate for a virtuous woman). The gate standing today was granted later by King Jeongjo (r. 1776–1800). It stands within the Kim Jeong-hui Historic Site, where, besides the gate, there are the joint tomb of the princess and Kim Han-sin, the tomb of Kim Jeong-hui, Kim Jeong-hui's old house, and a white pine tree designated Natural Monument No. 106. The site of the tomb-keeper's house is said to have originally held a large building of 53 kan, which has since burned down, leaving only its foundation stones. The gate itself measures 8 kan across the front and 1 kan in depth, and a fence has recently been added.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yesan, Chungnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산