Celestial Chart Stone

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.228

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

조선 태조 4년(1395)

Designated year

1985

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울 종로구 효자로 12, 국립고궁박물관 (세종로,국립고궁박물관)

Coordinates

37.576571, 126.974851

This stone slab with the carvings of a planisphere, a chart of constellations, was made in 1396 by 11 astronomers including Gwon Geun and Yu Bang-taek under orders by King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, to symbolize the mandate of heaven for his new dynasty. The stone chart is on display at the National Palace Museum of Korea. This planisphere consists of two sections. Much of its content was derived from an old chart made in Goguryeo. Constellations are engraved on the upper portion with brief explanation. The lower portion is inscribed with the name, the background of the production process, names of participants and the date of production. With the North Pole in the center, the chart displays the Zodiac and the celestial equator. The constellations contain all of 1,464 stars visible to ordinary sight. Twelve lines run across the heaven around the Zodiac and the stars are depicted in dots. The planisphere provides information about the movement of the sun, the moon and five planets (Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter). In addition the location of constellations conveys the seasonal subdivision. This planisphere is the second oldest of its kind in the world and has a great historical value. The oldest one was made in China. However, some of this invaluable chart is hardly legible due to erosion by time.

Location