Dongmyo
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| Dongmyo | |
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Missing image | |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul: | 동관왕묘 |
| Hanja: | 東關王廟 |
| McCune-Reischauer: | |
| Revised Romanization: | Dong Gwang-wang Myo |
Dongmyo 東廟 (literally means "Eastern Temple of King Guan") is a shrine in metropolitan Seoul built in honour of the 3rd century Chinese military commander, Guan Yu.
Worried about the possibility of a Japanese invasion, King Seonjo (r. 1567-1608), the 14th king of Joseon (1392-1910), had a vision of Guan Yu and subsequently had the shrines built in his honour in the hope that his spirit would keep the kingdom from falling to the enemy. When Toyotomi Hideyoshi did attack in 1593, Korea was ravaged but did survive.
The Wanli Emperor of Ming provided funds for the construction of the shrine, along with a plaque with his own calligraphy. The Joseon government embarked on the construction in 1599 and completed the work in 1601. Three shrines - Dongmyo (east shrine), Seomyo (west shrine) and Bukmyo (north shrine) - were actually constructed in 1601. However, only Dongmyo Shrine remains today.
The shrine is surrounded by a wall of stone and mud, and covers an area of 9,315 sq m. Ceremonies were held here for many years to thank Guan Yu's for his divine support. The shrine compound is enclosed on all sides by walls. Two of the figures to the rear of the compound are of the general while the other figures are images of his retainers and other generals. The figure with the red face is the general's earthly countenance and the one with the yellow face, his spirit.
The shrine, following the Chinese model, is narrower in width than depth, and the rear and side walls are sumptuously decorated with bricks. Inside the main shrine a wooden image of Guan Yu is enshrined, along with statues of four of his retainers.