Phoenix Throne
Encyclopedia
The Phoenix Throne is the English
term used to identify the throne
of the hereditary monarchs of Korea. In an abstract sense, the Phoenix Throne also refers rhetorically to the head of state
of the Joseon dynasty
(1392-1897) and the Empire of Korea (1897-1910).
The Phoenix motif symbolizs the king's supreme authority. The phoenix has a long association with Korean royalty — for example, in Goguryeo
tomb murals like that of the Middle Gangseo Tumulus where the painted image of a phoenix is featured.
Enthronement ceremonies and the throne itself has evolved across the span of Korean history. For example, from 1399-1549, seven of twelve kings were enthroned in the royal throne hall (Geunjeong-jeon) at Gyeongbokgung Palace
. In other words, Jeongjong
, Sejong, Danjong
, Sejo
, Seongjong
, Jungjong
, and Myeongjong
ascended the Phoenix Throne in the same royal location.
, which is a rhetorical device for an allusion relying on proximity or correspondence, as for example referring to actions of the monarch or as "actions of the Phoenix Throne."
The Phoenix Throne is also understood as a synecdoche
, which is related to metonymy and metaphor in suggesting a play on words by identifying a closely related conceptualization, e.g.,
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
term used to identify the throne
Throne
A throne is the official chair or seat upon which a monarch is seated on state or ceremonial occasions. "Throne" in an abstract sense can also refer to the monarchy or the Crown itself, an instance of metonymy, and is also used in many expressions such as "the power behind the...
of the hereditary monarchs of Korea. In an abstract sense, the Phoenix Throne also refers rhetorically to the head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
of the Joseon dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
(1392-1897) and the Empire of Korea (1897-1910).
The Phoenix motif symbolizs the king's supreme authority. The phoenix has a long association with Korean royalty — for example, in Goguryeo
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
tomb murals like that of the Middle Gangseo Tumulus where the painted image of a phoenix is featured.
History
Gyeongbokgung
Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, is a royal palace located in northern Seoul, South Korea. First constructed in 1394 and reconstructed in 1867, it was the main and largest palace of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon Dynasty...
. In other words, Jeongjong
Jeongjong of Joseon
King Jeongjong of Joseon , born Yi Bang-gwa, whose changed name is Yi Gyeong, was the second king of Joseon Dynasty . He was the second son of the founder and first king of the dynasty, King Taejo of Joseon....
, Sejong, Danjong
Danjong of Joseon
Danjong of Joseon was the sixth king of the Joseon Dynasty.Danjong succeeded his father, Munjong of Joseon, at the age of 12...
, Sejo
Sejo of Joseon
Sejo of Joseon was the seventh king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He produced a coup d'etat and became king himself in 1455.-Reign:...
, Seongjong
Seongjong of Joseon
Seongjong of Joseon was the ninth king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He succeeded King Yejong in 1469 and ruled until 1494.-Reign:...
, Jungjong
Jungjong of Joseon
Jungjong of Joseon , born Yi Yeok, ruled during the 16th century in what is now Korea. He succeeded his half-brother, Yeonsangun, because of the latter's tyranical misrule, which culminated in a coup placing Jungjong on the throne.-Jo Gwang-jo's reforms:On the day Yeonsangun was deposed, soldiers...
, and Myeongjong
Myeongjong of Joseon
King Myeongjong was the 13th king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He was the second son of Jungjong, and his mother was Queen Munjeong, who was Jungjong's third queen....
ascended the Phoenix Throne in the same royal location.
Rhetorical usage
This flexible English term is also a rhetorical trope. Depending on context, the Phoenix Throne can be construed as a metonymyMetonymy
Metonymy is a figure of speech used in rhetoric in which a thing or concept is not called by its own name, but by the name of something intimately associated with that thing or concept...
, which is a rhetorical device for an allusion relying on proximity or correspondence, as for example referring to actions of the monarch or as "actions of the Phoenix Throne."
The Phoenix Throne is also understood as a synecdoche
Synecdoche
Synecdoche , meaning "simultaneous understanding") is a figure of speech in which a term is used in one of the following ways:* Part of something is used to refer to the whole thing , or...
, which is related to metonymy and metaphor in suggesting a play on words by identifying a closely related conceptualization, e.g.,
- referring to the whole with the name of a part, such as "Phoenix Throne" for the serial symbols and ceremonies of enthronement
- " ... Yi Pang-won ... ascended the Phoenix Throne as King TaejongTaejong of JoseonKing Taejong was the third king of the Joseon Dynasty in Korea and the father of King Sejong the Great.-Founding of Joseon:...
in 1400." - "In 1776, Prince Sado's second son ascended the Phoenix Throne as King ChongjoJeongjo of JoseonKing Jeongjo was the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea. He made various attempts to reform and improve the nation of Joseon. He was preceded by his grandfather King Yeongjo and succeeded by his son King Sunjo...
..."
- referring to the general with the specific, such as "Phoenix Throne" for kingship -- as in:
- "... T'aejo mounted the phoenix throne in KaesǒngKaesongKaesŏng is a city in North Hwanghae Province, southern North Korea , a former Directly Governed City, and the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty. The city is near Kaesŏng Industrial Region and it contains the remains of the Manwoldae palace. It was formally named Songdo while it was the...
as the first ruler of Chosǒn."
See also
- List of monarchs of Korea
- IrworobongdoIrworobongdoIrworobongdo is a Korean folding screen with a highly stylized landscape painting of a sun and moon, five peaks which always was set behind Eojwa, the king’s royal throne during the Joseon Dynasty. It literally means "Painting of the Sun, Moon and the Five Peaks" and is also called "Irwoldo" or...
- National emblemNational emblemA national emblem symbolically represents a nation. Most national emblems originate in the natural world, such as animals or birds, but another object may serve. National emblems may appear on many things such as the national flag, coat of arms, or other patriotic materials...
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and the Kings of EnglandUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... - Dragon ThroneDragon ThroneThe Dragon Throne is the English term used to identify the throne of the Emperor of China. As the dragon was the emblem of imperial power, the throne of the Emperor was known as the Dragon Throne. The term can refer to very specific seating, as in the special seating in various structures in the...
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in Iran
- Throne of England