Population of Pagoda Trees in Changdeokgung Palace

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.472

Category

동식물

Era

300~400여년 추정

Designated year

2006

Location

종로구, 서울특별시— 서울 종로구 율곡로 99, (창덕궁 내) (와룡동)

Coordinates

37.578188, 126.989970

The Forest of Pagoda Trees at Changdeokgung Palace is located to the left and right of the path that begins right inside the front gate, Donhwamun Gate. There are eight of these old trees, each standing 15-16m high with breast-high circumference of 90-178cm. The pagoda trees were planted at the entrance of the palace for a particular reason. This area is equivalent to the outer courtyard, the first of the three main courtyards, where the king and his cabinet administered state affairs. The pagoda trees are presumed to have been planted at the entrance as prescribed in the Chinese classic Zhouli (Rites of Zhou), on which ancient palace architecture is based. According to Zhouli, the outer courtyard is where the king met with his three high ministers, high officials, and members of the aristocracy. The pagoda trees were planted as place markers for the three high ministers and were accordingly a symbol of their rank. The pagoda trees at Changdeokgung Palace are probably those that remain among the pagoda trees planted at the front of the palace for the aforesaid reason. As there are old trees indicated in Donggwoldo (album of paintings of Changdeokgung and Changyeonggung palaces) produced in the 1820s, the trees are about 300-400 years old. These eight pagoda trees are very important since they give insight to the standards by which trees were planted around the palace.

Location