The Phoenix Throne (''eojwa'') is the term used to identify the
throne
A throne is the seat of state of a potentate or dignitary, especially the seat occupied by a sovereign on state occasions; or the seat occupied by a pope or bishop on ceremonial occasions. "Throne" in an abstract sense can also refer to the mona ...
of the hereditary monarchs of Korea. In an abstract sense, the Phoenix Throne also refers
rhetorically
Rhetoric () is the Art (skill), art of persuasion, which along with grammar and logic (or dialectic), is one of the Trivium, three ancient arts of discourse. Rhetoric aims to study the techniques writers or speakers utilize to inform, persuad ...
to the
head of state
A head of state (or chief of state) is the public persona who officially embodies a state Foakes, pp. 110–11 " he head of statebeing an embodiment of the State itself or representatitve of its international persona." in its unity and l ...
of the
Joseon dynasty
Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and r ...
(1392–1897) and the
Empire of Korea
The Korean Empire () was a Korean monarchical state proclaimed in October 1897 by Emperor Gojong of the Joseon dynasty. The empire stood until Japan's annexation of Korea in August 1910.
During the Korean Empire, Emperor Gojong oversaw the Gwan ...
(1897–1910).
The
phoenix
Phoenix most often refers to:
* Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore
* Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States
Phoenix may also refer to:
Mythology
Greek mythological figures
* Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...
motif symbolizes the king's supreme authority. The phoenix has a long association with Korean royalty — for example, in
Goguryeo
Goguryeo (37 BC–668 AD) ( ) also called Goryeo (), was a Korean kingdom located in the northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula and the southern and central parts of Northeast China. At its peak of power, Goguryeo controlled mos ...
tomb murals like that of the Middle Gangseo Tumulus where the painted image of a phoenix is featured.
History
![Gojong-King](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Gojong-King.of.the.Korean.Empire-1903.jpg)
Enthronement ceremonies and the throne itself has evolved across the span of Korean history. For example, from 1399 to 1549, seven of twelve kings were enthroned in the royal throne hall (''Geunjeong-jeon'') at
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung (), also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Built in 1395, it is located in northern Seoul, South Korea. The largest of the ''Five Grand Palaces'' built by the Joseo ...
. In other words,
Jeongjong,
Sejong
Sejong of Joseon (15 May 1397 – 8 April 1450), personal name Yi Do (Korean: 이도; Hanja: 李祹), widely known as Sejong the Great (Korean: 세종대왕; Hanja: 世宗大王), was the fourth ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. Initial ...
,
Danjong
Danjong of Joseon (18 August 1441 – 17 November 1457), personal name Yi Hong-wi (Korean: 이홍위; Hanja: 李弘暐), was the sixth ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. He was forced to abdicate by his uncle, Grand Prince Suyang (the futu ...
,
Sejo
Sejo of Joseon (2 November 1417 – 23 September 1468), personal name Yi Yu (Korean language, Korean: 이유; Hanja: 李瑈), sometimes known as Grand Prince Suyang (Korean language, Korean: 수양대군; Hanja: 首陽大君), was the sevent ...
,
Seongjong,
Jungjong, and
Myeongjong ascended the Phoenix Throne in the same royal location.
Rhetorical usage
This flexible English term is also a
rhetorical
Rhetoric () is the art of persuasion, which along with grammar and logic (or dialectic), is one of the three ancient arts of discourse. Rhetoric aims to study the techniques writers or speakers utilize to inform, persuade, or motivate parti ...
trope
Trope or tropes may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Trope (cinema), a cinematic convention for conveying a concept
* Trope (literature), a figure of speech or common literary device
* Trope (music), any of a variety of different things ...
. Depending on context, the Phoenix Throne can be construed as a
metonymy, which is a rhetorical device for an allusion relying on proximity or correspondence, as for example referring to actions of the monarch or as "actions of the Phoenix Throne."
The Phoenix Throne is also understood as a
synecdoche, which is related to metonymy and metaphor in suggesting a play on words by identifying a closely related conceptualization, e.g.,
* referring to the whole with the name of a part, such as "Phoenix Throne" for the serial symbols and ceremonies of enthronement
:* " ... Yi Bang-won ... ascended the Phoenix Throne as
King Taejong
Taejong of Joseon (13 June 1367 – 8 June 1422), personal name Yi Bang-won ( Korean: 이방원; Hanja: 李芳遠), was the third ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea and the father of King Sejong the Great. Before ascending to the throne, he ...
in 1400."
:* "In 1776,
Prince Sado
Crown Prince Sado (Hangul: 사도세자, Hanja: 思悼 世子; 13 February 1735 – 12 July 1762), personal name Yi Seon (Hangul: 이선, Hanja: 李愃), was the second son of King Yeongjo of Joseon. His biological mother was Royal Noble ...
's second son ascended the Phoenix Throne as
King Jeongjo
Jeongjo of Joseon (28 October 1752 – 18 August 1800), personal name Yi San (Korean language, Korean: 이산; Hanja: 李祘), sometimes called Jeongjo the Great (Korean language, Korean: 정조대왕; Hanja: 正祖大王), was the 22nd monarc ...
"
* referring to the general with the specific, such as "Phoenix Throne" for kingship—as in:
:* "...
T'aejo mounted the phoenix throne in
Kaesǒng as the first ruler of Chosǒn."
[Henthorn, William E. (1971). ''A History of Korea,'' p. 136.]
See also
*
List of monarchs of Korea
*
Irworobongdo
Irworobongdo (Korean: 일월오봉도, Hanja: 日月五峯圖) is a Korean folding screen with a highly stylized landscape painting of a sun and moon, five peaks which always was set behind ''Eojwa'', the king’s royal throne during the Joseon ...
*
National emblem
A national emblem is an emblem or seal that is reserved for use by a nation state or multi-national state as a symbol of that nation. Many nations have a seal or emblem in addition to a national flag
A national flag is a flag that represents ...
**
Chrysanthemum Throne
The is the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term also can refer to very specific seating, such as the throne in the Shishin-den at Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Various other thrones or seats that are used by the Emperor during official functions ...
of the
Emperors
An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife ( empress consort), mother (empr ...
of
Japan
**
The Lion Throne of Myanmar
The Lion Throne (also known as Sihasana or Thihathana Palin; my, သီဟသနပလ္လင်, derived from sa, :wikt:सिंहासन#Sanskrit, सिंहासन, siṃhāsana, lion's seat, throne) is one of the eight historic Pal ...
**
Dragon Throne
The Dragon Throne () was the throne of the Emperor of China. As the dragon was the emblem of divine imperial power, the throne of the Emperor was known as the Dragon Throne. The term can refer to very specific seating, as in the special seating i ...
of the
Emperors
An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife ( empress consort), mother (empr ...
of
China
**
Lion Throne
The Lion Throne is the English term used to identify the throne of the Dalai Lama of Tibet. It specifically refers to the throne historically used by Dalai Lamas at Potala Palace in Lhasa.
See also
* List of Dalai Lamas
* Tibetan independence ...
of the
Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama (, ; ) is a title given by the Tibetan people to the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, the newest and most dominant of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The 14th and current D ...
of
Tibet
Tibet (; ''Böd''; ) is a region in East Asia, covering much of the Tibetan Plateau and spanning about . It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people. Also resident on the plateau are some other ethnic groups such as Monpa, Taman ...
**
Naderi Throne in Iran
**
Peacock Throne
The Peacock Throne ( Hindustani: ''Mayūrāsana'', Sanskrit: मयूरासन, Urdu: تخت طاؤس, fa, تخت طاووس, ''Takht-i Tāvūs'') was a famous jewelled throne that was the seat of the emperors of the Mughal Empire in India ...
of the
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire was an early-modern empire that controlled much of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. Quote: "Although the first two Timurid emperors and many of their noblemen were recent migrants to the subcontinent, the d ...
**
Peacock Throne
The Peacock Throne ( Hindustani: ''Mayūrāsana'', Sanskrit: मयूरासन, Urdu: تخت طاؤس, fa, تخت طاووس, ''Takht-i Tāvūs'') was a famous jewelled throne that was the seat of the emperors of the Mughal Empire in India ...
of the
Persian Empire
**
Silver Throne
The Silver Throne ( sv, Silvertronen or ) is a throne which has been used by the Swedish monarch at coronations, accessions to the throne and state opening of the parliament. The Silver Throne is located in the Hall of State at Stockholm Palace. ...
- the Throne of
Sweden
**
Throne of England
The Throne of England is the throne of the Monarch of England. "Throne of England" also refers metonymically to the office of monarch, and monarchy itself.Gordon, Delahay. (1760) ''A General History of the Lives, Trials, and Executions of All th ...
and the
Kings of
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
Notes
References
{{reflist, 2
* Henthorn, William E. (1971). ''A History of Korea.'' New York: Free Press
OCLC 186869329* Korean Ministry of Culture and Information . (1978). ''A Handbook of Korea.'' Seoul: Korean Overseas Information Service
OCLC 6719067
External links
Gyeongbok Palace National Palace Museum of Korea Royal Palace
Korean monarchy
Thrones