A Study on the Site analysis of Jongmyo area -With Feng-shui theory and Geomagnetic Field

  • Han, Jong-Koo (Dept. of Architectural Eng., Chungwoon University) ;
  • Park, Tong-So (Dept. of Architectural Eng., Hanseo University)
  • Published : 2002.12.31

Abstract

East Asian explain the changes of substance happened on earth and those of human life with the conceptual frame of "Gi-ki"(地氣; earth vital energy) and organize them by the system of "Feng-shui(風水) theory. The core of Feng-shui theory is reading the expression of the nature and feeling the Gi-ki from the expression. One of the properties of the earth is that the earth has a magnetic field associated with it- the Geomagnetic field. The geomagnetic field is produced by a combination of the effects of electric currents in the earth's liquid core, the magnetization of crustal rocks, external electric current systems that surround the earth and currents induced in the outer layers of the earth by magnetic field variations. The sameness of logic between Feng-shui and geopathic zones is that both are concerned with the discrimination of site and the energy of places, in other words both disciplines are concerned with how the environment can influence people. In this context the operation of Gj-ki can be related with the effect caused by geomagnetic field on site. In this study Jongmyo(宗廟), one of the representative traditional architecture in Korea is selected because the site selection and building layout follows Feng-shui faithfully according to Taejo silok (太祖實錄, Annals of King Taejo). Observing the landforms surrounding Jongmyo, Jongmyo is apparently located in auspicious places named Gumge Poranhyoeng(金鷄抱卵形, a Feng-shui landscape of golden hen sitting on eggs). The geomagnetic investigation of Jongmyo shows that the geomagnetic values of Toekan(the space near Hyeol) are relatively high and uniform and those of Sangweoldae and Haweoldae are decreased in accordance with the distance. The result shows that there is possibility that Feng-shui has scientific basis related with geomagnetic field. Feng-shui theory can suggest a direction for designing the sustainable building for living with nature.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Chungwoon University

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