Experts in creating innovation: Seongjuam(Temple), Gwanaksan Mt

1 Introduction to Seongjuam(Temple)

I stopped by Seongjuam on the way down after climbing Gwanaksan for the first time in a long time.

Gwanaksan, located in the south of Seoul, was named for its pointed crown-like shape.

It is also called Sogeumgang because it has dozens of outstanding peaks and many rocks, and the mountain looks like Geumgangsan with old trees and various types of grasses blending with the rocks, changing with the seasons.

In addition, Gwanaksan is the ancestral mountain or outer mountain of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, and because the shape of the peak resembles fire, it is considered a volcano in terms of feng shui.

Therefore, it is said that they dug a nail on the top of the mountain to symbolically suppress the fire because they believed that Seoul, which is overlooked by this mountain, was prone to fire, and Haetae, an imaginary animal that blocks fire, was created on both sides of Gwanghwamun, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Seongjuam is a small temple attached to Gwanaksan Mountain.

Daeungjeon is facing southeast (from southeast to northwest) and the peak of Gwanaksan Mountain is visible to the southeast.

When looking from Daeungjeon, there are Yosachae in the five directions, so it seems that a monk can come out, but it seems difficult to start a big fire, and it is unfortunate that Yeonjuam on the peak of Gwanaksan Mountain blocks the five directions.

The fact that a fire broke out in this hermitage not long ago can be said to have played a role in the fire.

There is also a theory that Gwanaksan Mountain is a volcano, and that Haetae statues, which play the role of water, were erected to block the fire of Gwanaksan Mountain when Gyeongbokgung Palace was built.

Seongjuam is difficult to verify due to lack of accurate historical documents, but according to oral tradition, it is known that it was founded by Wonhyo Daesa during the Silla period.

Yeonjuam next to it is located on the south side of Yeonjubong Peak on Gwanaksan Mountain. It is a well-known temple to those who enjoy visiting Gwanaksan Mountain, and along with Yeonjudae, located on the peak of a 629m high rocky cliff, it is considered one of the famous spots of Gwanaksan Mountain.