After looking at the front area of Jagyeongjeon Hall, it’s time to check the back out. If you go behind Jagyeongjeon Hall, you will find another thing that represents the hall, along with the floral wall.
Jagyeongjeon Hall has a portion of square chimney-formed wall in addition to the floral wall. The chimney of Jagyeongjeon Hall does not look like a chimney, but a large wall of bricks for murals. It was used to distance the chimney from the hall to prevent a fire. Also, there are roof tiles on the top of the chimney. The servants burned the charcoal in the furnace of Jagyeongjeon Hall to keep the room warm. The chimney was designed to raise the smoke from the buildings around Jagyeongjeon Hall through underground pathways and the holes in the roof tiles.
The large rectangular chimney was engraved in the center with Sipjangsaeng, which is a design of animals and trees symbolizing longevity. The pattern was made to express people’s sincere wishes for the long life of the dowager queen. The chimney was decorated with ten symbols of longevity to wish for the longevity and prosperity of the queen staying in Jagyeongjeon Hall. The ten symbols of longevity are not referring to the number of objects drawn on the chimney. There are more than ten different objects painted on it, including the mountain, cloud, rock, pine tree, bamboo, tortoise, deer, crane, lotus flower, and an imaginary herb. The chimney does not only function as a chimney but also as a piece of formative art that is regarded as the most beautiful chimney in Joseon.
Jagyeongjeon Hall: Chimney with Ten Symbols of Longevity (Gyeongbokgung Palace)
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