Hwang Hui Tomb

This is the tomb of Bangchon Hwang Hui (黃喜, 1363–1452), revered as one of the most distinguished state councillors of the Joseon dynasty. He left great achievements in establishing the foundations of the state in the early Joseon period, and by directing the development of the Four Garrisons and Six Garrisons on the northern frontier and the promotion of literature and the arts, he contributed to the flourishing reign of King Sejong. The tomb takes the form of a single mound containing the joint burial of Hwang Hui and his wife, Lady Yang of Cheongju. The mound is large and rectangular, its lower front edge enclosed by a 'ㄷ'-shaped (U-shaped) border stone — a distinctive tomb style of the early Joseon period. The tomb precinct is divided into three terraced levels, separated by gyeche stones (flat, long boundary stones marking off the burial area), a style that carried on Goryeo burial practice into the early Joseon period. To the right of the front of the mound stands a grave marker, erected in 1824. The stone lantern shows the early Joseon form well, its capstone large relative to the body; its windows are cut only to front and back in a concave shape, and its rounded top has a two-tiered structure typical of a fifteenth-century lantern. The attendant stone figure is the most representative stone sculpture at Hwang Hui's tomb: it stands with hands clasped respectfully, wearing a small cap and a bangnyeongpo robe. This iconography is very rare and therefore highly significant. Below it is placed a pair of civil official stone figures in bokdu-gongbok form (wearing a bokdu cap and official robes), with large heads and deeply carved smile-lines beside the mouth, in the style of the early Joseon period. The spirit-path stele is of the gyusu-bangbu form, with a headstone whose corners are bevelled, set on a square base. With its distinctive early Joseon burial style and stone sculptures, this tomb is a highly important cultural heritage site, and may be regarded as the finest example of tomb culture in the Gyeonggi region.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Paju, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물