An exhibition on how Joseon Dynasty (A.D. 1,392~1,910) celebrated the birth of babies in the royal family will kick off Wednesday in Seoul.
The National Palace Museum of Korea will hold the exhibition “The Birth of a Royal Baby of Joseon Dynasty” through Sept. 2, which will be at the special exhibition rooms on first and second floor.
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A ten-panel screen showing the celebration of a crown prince’s birth. (National Palace Museum of Korea) |
It will introduce the royal relics owned by the NPMK along with related documents provided by Janseogak Archieves, including the process of preparing for birth, raising the baby, and creating the environment for the baby. The exhibition will show how the arrival of a royal baby was anticipated by the entire nation, and the delivery process was monitored with utmost care.
Among the related traditions were “Antae,” which involves keeping the baby’s placenta and umbilical cord in a vase and finding a place for a baby room, in accordance to geomancy of Pungsu Jiri.
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Vases containing the placenta and umbilical cord of King Seongjong (National Palace Museum of Korea) |
The relics to be displayed include the ten-panel screen showing celebration of a crown prince’s birth, ceremonial jacket with skirt worn by Princess Deokhye, placenta jars for Kings Seongjong, Sukjong and Yejong.
For more information, visit the NPMK homepage (http://www.gogung.go.kr/fore/main.do?pLng=en) which is presented in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese.
By Yoon Min-sik
(
minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)
