The Semanticization Aspect of Space and Its Meaning by Confucian Scholars in Joseon Dynasty - focused on records of travel in Geumgangsan -

Confucian scholars during the Joseon Dynasty actively reshaped Mount Kumgang's cultural significance, transforming it from a Buddhist-dominated landscape into a Confucian-infused space. They achieved this through three key methods: renaming places to align with Confucian values, inscribing personal records or poetry on the mountain, and framing their experiences in Confucian textual references. These actions collectively expanded individual memories into shared cultural narratives, embedding Mount Kumgang with Confucian meaning while erasing its Buddhist heritage. This semanticization process reflects a deliberate effort by scholars to redefine the site as an intellectual and moral space, demonstrating how human agency can alter the perceived significance of natural landscapes over time.

Park, E.-j. (2020). The Semanticization Aspect of Space and Its Meaning by Confucian Scholars in Joseon Dynasty - focused on records of travel in Geumgangsan -. The Korean Literature and Arts, 34, 91–120. https://doi.org/10.21208/kla.2020.06.34.91