Jongmyo Shrine Korea.
Jongmyo, the shrine where the memorial tablets of past kings and queens are housed, was one of the most majestic and sacred buildings of the Joseon dynasty. Its architecture visually renders such Confucian values that are the guiding principles of Joseon's political philosophy as piety and propriety toward ancestors. Past the front gate of Jongmyo, three paths lead to the shrine's prayer halls. Of these three paths, known as 'Samdo,' the middle one is reserved for the spirits of the dead kings, the eastern one for the king, and the western one for the crown prince. The living are not allowed to walk on or approach 'Sillo,' the middle path reserved for the spirits of the past kings. Along these three paths are deployed Jeongjeon and Yeongnyeongjeon Halls, the two main components of this UNESCO World Heritage list-included shrine compound. Walk these paths alongside spirits and awaken the sacred in you...