Suseongdang Shrine
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Location54, Jeokbyeokgang-gil Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- CategoryCultural Heritage / Tangible Cultural Heritage
- Korean수성당
- Chinese水聖堂|水城堂
- FieldLifestyle & Folklore / Folklore
- Contents TypeHistoric Site / Folk Religious Site
- Current Location54, Jeokbyeokgang-gil Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Definition
- A sacrificial rite-related historic site located in Jukmak-dong, Gyekpo-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Summary
- Suseongdang is a shrine where locals hold a sacrificial rite for a female deity called Grandma Gaeyang(Gaeyanghalmi), praying for safety in voyage and big catch of fish. Suseongdang Shrine was designated as Jeollabuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 58 in September 27, 1974.
- Location
- Suseongdang Shrine is located in Jukmak-dong (aka Daemakgol). The western end of Byeonsan Peninsula where Suseongdang is located is an area protruding toward the sea. From here, the following areas clearly come into view: the sea off Chilsando Island, which was famous as a fishing ground for croakers; Wido Island; Sangwangdeungdo Island; Hawangdeungdo Island; and Gogunsan Archipelago. As it is located on a higher ground than surroundings, it is a vantage point for observing boats sailing toward this area and fishing boats. Jeokbyeokgang and Chaeseokgang Cliffs, famous for wonderful natural scenery, are located in the vicinity. The area borders on the estuary of Dongjingang River to the north and Julpoman Bay to the south. The shrine was originally called “Gurangsa” and was renamed as “Suseongdang”.
- Forms
- Suseongdang Shrine is a house measuring 2 kan* (façade) by 1 kan (sides) with gable roof (with the “八”-shaped side). With the gable board on the sides, it has decorative tile standing at the end of the roof ridge portraying cloud/dragon at the front and monster face on the side/back. To balance the structure whose front is lower than the rear side due to the topography of the area, a two-tiered or three-tiered stone platform is laid on the front side, and a one-tiered stone platform, on the rear side.
According to what is written on the ridge beam ‘sungejonggiwonhusagapja joseon sunjo sanyeon ilcheonpalbaeksanyeon yuwol’, the structure was first built before 1850 (first year of King Cheoljong’s reign). The third and fourth remodeling works were carried out in 1864(first year of King Gojong’s reign) and 1940, respectively. Then, it was rebuilt again in 1973. The current Suseongdang was completed after the remolding in 1996.
(*1 kan refers to the length of the space between two columns. It comes to 210 cm - 300 cm.)
- Ritual
- Suseongdang is a shrine for holding a sacrificial rite for female deity Grandma Gaeyang who is believed to be in control of the sea off Chilsando Island. Legend has it that she gave birth to eight daughters and sent them away except the youngest, whom she kept with her; the two were in control of the nearby sea. It is known that the sea god Grandma Gaeyang, who is tall enough to reach above the clouds and wears wooden shoes with high supports of 5-ja (about 151 cm) in order to walk above the sea of Chilsan and protect fishermen from dangers (deep in water, storm, etc.) in the sea. Locals used to hold sacrificial rites for the female deities for their safe voyage and a big catch. The marine ritual site discovered in Jukmak-dong shows that ocean belief has existed in the area since ancient times.
The sacrificial rite was held on lunar January 14. It was discontinued in the 1960s but resumed in the 2000s. At present, the Suseongdang Rite Committee organizes the rite. The rite is held with the head of Jukmak-dong playing the lead role with the assistance of three other villagers around 10 a.m. on the fourtheenth day of the lunar New Year. In the past, it used to be held at night as well. Before the start of the rite, a pungmulpae (a percussion band composed of villagers) marches around Suseongdang and nearby forests, playing music. They prepare pig’s head, croakers, wild vegetables, rice cake, soup, cooked rice, and fruit as an offering. They place an offering, recite a written prayer, and burn a sheet of white paper (gesture of getting rid of impurities). They pray for a big catch as well as peace in the village. Upon completion of the rite held by villagers, exorcists take over the rite. There used to be the portrait of Suseongdang Halmeoni (goddess), however, currently, the newly-made portrait of danghalmeoni (Suseong Halmi), which is flanked by paintings of shaman gods including paintings of Guan Yu, Sansin (mountain god), and Chilseong (seven star god), is placed in the middle of the shrine. During the rite, shamans perform various shamanic rituals (gut) such as bulsageori, janggungeori, sinjangdaegam, anseungut, etc. in order.
- Current Status
- Suseongdang in Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do is a shrine for paying homage to female deity Grandma Gaeyang asking her to help them get a big catch and make a safe voyage. The rite was once stopped but restored and has been held to pray for a good catch of fish and the village’s peace.
- Historical Significance
- Suseongdang Shrine is a sacrificial rite-related historic site. The structure, together with the Population of Machilus (Natural Monument) next to it, is protected as Jeollabuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 58. Sacrificial rites held for sea deities have been continued following the Three Kingdoms Period, and this is the major historic site which shows its rites very well. Therefore, the sacrificial ritual site in Jukmak-dong, Buan is considered an invaluable cultural heritage and local people strive to have it registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.