• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.163-174
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• 2023

Simgok Seowon was established to honor Jo Gwang-jo, who is a scholar and politician in the mid-Joseon period. It is located in a propitious site based on Feng Shui. Its Jusan is Mugokeumseongchae(武曲金星體) with Wonhwahyul(圓窩穴), and its Ansan is Tamrangmokseongchae(貪狼木星體). It is a Jehyang(祭享)-centered Seowon that sets a Jehyang place in Hyeolcheo. Around the Sadang(祠堂), the Four gods including Jwacheongryong(左靑龍) Woobackho(右白虎), Jujak(朱雀), and Hyeonmu(玄武) protect the Hyeolcheo(穴處) well. It is a typical central axis symmetrical spatial arrangement where everything is located centered on Sawoo(祠宇). It is a type of Jeonhakhumyo(前學後廟) that arranges the main hall at the front of buildings and places the Sadang that is a Jehyang place at the back of Sadang. To the left side of the Sadang, Yeonji(蓮池) was created by applying the principles of Cheonwonjibang(天圓地方), which serves as Yusik(遊息) area with functions to adjust microclimate and to extinguish fires. Feng Shui plays an important role when determining orientation, direction, and location of the buildings. Therefore, it could be regarded as realizing the aesthetic spirit of Cheoninhabil(天人合一) to compose the Feng Shui-oriented spatial arrangement by recognizing accurately the relationship between nature and human being depending on topography, wind, water flow, and point of the compass.