Honghwamun Gate of Changgyeonggung Palace

About this place

Honghwamun (弘化門) is the main gate of Changgyeonggung Palace; 'Honghwa' means 'to broaden harmony', that is, 'to practice virtue so as to transform the people and spread it far and wide.' Honghwamun was first built when Changgyeonggung was founded, was destroyed during the Japanese invasions of 1592 (Imjin War), and was rebuilt in 1616 (the 8th year of Gwanghaegun). Whereas the main gate of the neighboring Changdeokgung, Donhwamun, part of the same eastern palace complex, has five bays across the front, Honghwamun was built on a smaller scale with three bays. Honghwamun was also a place where the king met the people in person. In 1750 (the 26th year of King Yeongjo), before implementing the Equalized Tax Law (Gyunyeokbeop), Yeongjo went out to Honghwamun to meet yangban and commoners and hear their views on the reform of the tax system. It is also said that in 1795 (the 19th year of King Jeongjo), Jeongjo distributed rice to the poor outside Honghwamun to celebrate the 60th birthday of his mother, Lady Hong of Hyegyeonggung (Queen Heongyeong). Honghwamun was designated a Treasure in 1963. It is a two-story building three bays wide and two bays deep, distinctive for facing east; its roof is a hip roof that appears trapezoidal when viewed from the front. The bracket sets (gongpo) decoratively made to support the eaves are arranged in the multi-bracket (dapo) style, placed not only atop the columns but also between them. On the lower floor, two door leaves are hung between each pair of columns so that people can pass through, while the upper floor is floored with wooden boards and fitted with small plank doors on the front and rear walls that can be opened and closed. The carvings at both ends of the roof ridge and the figures on the gently curving descending ridges further heighten the building's dignity.