TAEBAEK, Dec. 25 (Korea Bizwire) – Taebaek City is dedicated to officially designating Taebaeksan Cheonje as an intangible cultural property, highlighting its profound cultural significance.
This ritual event takes place on October 3, the National Foundation Day, at the Cheonjedan atop Mount Taebaek, a revered national symbol.
The ceremony is a spiritual offering for global peace, national reunification, guktae min’an (national tranquility and a harmonious living environment), and wusun pungjo (global peace and prosperity with favorable climatic conditions).
Regarded as the oldest form of celestial tribute in Korean history, Taebaeksan Cheonje is an event steeped in cultural richness and allure, earning its place on the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism’s prestigious ‘Local 100′ list.
The grandeur of Taebaeksan Cheonjedan is exemplified by a monumental stone altar, comprised of nine stone steps and natural stones, situated at the summit of Mount Taebaek.
Historical records, such as the Samguk sagi, document a sacrifice held on Mount Taebaek in 138 AD by the seventh king of the Silla Dynasty.
The mountain itself was a sacred site in ancient religious practices, venerating the fundamental elements of Eastern philosophy—heaven, earth, and ancestors.
In 1991, Taebaeksan Cheonje received recognition as an Important Folk Cultural Property, designated as No. 228. Over the years, it has evolved into a community-involved cultural event, featuring a civic procession and a mountain music festival.
The mountain top concert, hosted at an elevation of 1,567 meters, stands not only as the highest point in Korea but also as a celestial stage immersed in the world’s most expansive natural beauty.
Musicians, faced with the impossibility of reaching the summit by car, embark on a climb with their instruments, adding a unique dimension to the event.
Nevertheless, there is a growing consensus advocating for the acknowledgment of Taebaeksan Cheonje as a crucial intangible cultural heritage of the ancient nation, transcending its local association with Taebaek City, Gangwon Province.
The Taebaek Cultural Center, the event’s organizer, has successfully transformed it into a truly civic celebration, incorporating a civic procession and a mountain music concert.
Gaecheonjeol, meaning “the day the heavens opened,” commemorates the establishment of Gojoseon, the first Korean nation, by Dangun Wanggum, the ancestor of the Korean people.
Mount. Taebaek (Taebaeksan)
Image credit: The Taebaek Cultural Center, Taebaek City, Taebaeksan National Park Office, Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
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