The Era name enactment of King Jeonji of Baekje and Jongmyo Shrine

Archaeological evidence suggests that Jongmyo Shrine, associated with King Jeonji of Baekje, was established in the early 5th century (around 408 CE) as part of a political strategy to stabilize royal power and assert cultural identity. Unlike Goryeo and Silla, which had clear records of ancestral shrines, Baekje's adoption of the 'Jongmyo' system—centered on ancestor worship—was inferred from fragmented historical texts. Excavations at the Windack Fortress in Seoul revealed ritualistic structures, including a well (206-ho) containing pottery shards with damage patterns typical of ceremonial use. These artifacts, dating to the early 5th century, imply that Jongmyo served as a unifying symbol for Baekje's central and regional elites, reinforcing loyalty through shared rituals involving local produce like peach pits, symbolizing prosperity. The study bridges historical gaps by linking textual records with material culture, offering new insights into Baekje's political and religious landscape during its transition period.

Moon, D. (2021). The Era name enactment of King Jeonji of Baekje and Jongmyo Shrine. The Paek-San Society, 121, 179–204. https://doi.org/10.52557/tpsh.2021.121.179