Gukjojeon (Chilgok)

About this place

Gukjojeon (國祖殿) is a sacred hall enshrining the spirit tablet and portrait of the National Ancestor Dangun (國祖檀君), where the Grand Rite of Heaven-Opening Veneration (Gaecheon Sungbong Daeje, 開天崇奉大祭) is performed each year on October 3, National Foundation Day. Dangun Wanggeom (檀君王儉) founded Dangun Joseon in 2333 BCE. The worship of Dangun took concrete form as the progenitor of the nation in the Goryeo period, became still more widespread in the Joseon period, and from the reign of King Sejong he was revered as the national ancestor, with the king personally leading the civil and military officials in performing the rites. After the liberation on August 15, National Foundation Day was designated a national holiday, and the era name based on the Dangun calendar was used until 1961. In Chilgok, in order to realize the noble ideals of Hongik Ingan (弘益人間, 'to broadly benefit humankind') and Gwangmyeong Isse (光明理世, 'to govern the world with light'), which were the founding ideals of Dangun, the Danmin Association was organized on March 24, 1951; a plan to build Gukjojeon was drawn up in 1960; and, with the participation of all the county's residents and with funds such as public donations and contributions, Gukjojeon was built in 1961 at 573-18 Seokjeon-ri, Waegwan-eup. While the Grand Rite of Heaven-Opening Veneration continued to be performed each year, the Gukjojeon was relocated in 1993 owing to the cramped site and the aging of the building. The present buildings include Gukjojeon, the inner three-gate (naesammun), Gwangnidang, the outer three-gate (oesammun), the caretaker's house, and restrooms. It is widely used not only for the Grand Rite of Heaven-Opening Veneration but also as a training ground for cultivating the national spirit and passing on traditional culture, hosting youth classes on loyalty and filial piety, traditional weddings, and more.