User:Msrasnw/Draft Civilisation

Irworobongdo (Folding-screen of the Sun, Moon and the Five Peaks)

Irworobongdo is a six-fold screen with a highly stylised scene of a burning red sun, a full moon, five craggy peaks and two fast-flowing streams with cascades. The scene is flanked by a pair of conifers. Dr Yi Song-mi, Professor of Art History at the Academy of Korean Studies in Seoul, has suggested that these screens were one of the most important elements in the throne hall. It has been suggested that this formalized landscape illustrates the Choson political cosmology (The Theory of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements). It is alternatively thought that it might represent the blessing of Korea by Heaven, symbolized by the sun and moon depicted in balance. When the king sat in front of this screen, he appeared to be at the pivotal point from which all force emanated and to which all returned. Thus, imbued with sacred power, the screenmanifests a politico-cosmology as evidence ofHeaven'sfavor, mandate, andcontinued protection of the ruler.