The Formation and Development of Won(園) Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty

A unique burial tradition, the 'Won' tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, emerged as an intermediary status between royal 'neung' and common 'myo' tombs. This study reveals that Won tombs were invented by King Injo to honor his deceased parents post-coup d'état but gained prominence under King Yeongjo, who established a distinct system ('Gungwonje') for elite royals, including concubines and heirs. By the end of the Dynasty, 21 Won tombs were created, with 15 surviving intact today. Unlike royal 'neung' tombs, Won tombs lack retaining stones or military statues, featuring only one pair of stone animals—half the number found in neung. This research highlights Won as a valuable historical artifact reflecting Joseon's complex royal lineage dynamics and burial hierarchies.

Kim, Y. (2015). The Formation and Development of Won(園) Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Art History Forum, 41, 87–112. https://doi.org/10.14380/ahf.2015.41.87