E2024-G111

Commemorative Pavilion of the Jangheung Go Clan: Three Generations of the Three Confucian Virtues

Narrative

The Commemorative Pavilion of the Jangheung Go Clan was built in 1844 to house commemorative plaques issued to the civil official and civilian army commander Go Gyeong-myeong (1533-1592) and six members of his family. During the Joseon period (1392-1910), such commemorative plaques or steles were bestowed by the government to honor a person’s patriotic loyalty, filial devotion, or matrimonial devotion and were meant to be hung on red gates or in pavilions in front of the honored family’s home.

The commemorations were bestowed to Go Gyeong-myeong, his younger brother Go Gyeong-hyeong, and his two sons, Go Jong-hu (1554-1593) and Go In-hu (1561-1592) in recognition of their patriotic loyalty, to his daughter (the wife of No Sang-ryong) and to the wife (Lady Jeong) of his nephew Go Geo-hu in recognition of their matrimonial devotion, and to his grandson Go Bu-geum in recognition of his filial devotion. Born in Gwangju, Go Gyeong-myeong served as the magistrate of Dongnae (today’s Busan area). When Japan invaded Korea in 1592, he organized a civilian army of over 6,000 troops. Go and his two sons heroically died fighting the invaders during the Battle of Geumsan.

The plaque above the front entrance bears the inscription Samgangmun, meaning “Gate of the Three Virtues,” which refers to the three Confucian virtues of patriotic loyalty, filial devotion, and matrimonial devotion. It is extremely rare for one family to have so many commemorations across several generations and for all of the three virtues. The commemorative pavilion was designated as a Gwangju Monument for its historical and cultural value. It is located near Go Gyeong-myeong’s birthplace.

Story Map

• Sacred Foundations: Confucian Legacy and Traditional Governance
  • Gwangjueupseong Walled Town: The Administrative Heart of Gwangju
  • Gwangjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School: Confucian Veneration and Elite Education
  • Commemorative Pavilion of the Jangheung Go Clan: Three Generations of the Three Confucian Virtues
  • Commemorative Pavilion of Chunghyo-dong: The Village of Loyalty and Filial Devotion
  • Buyongjeong Pavilion and the Gwangju Village Code
  • Yi Seon-je’s Shrine in Perpetuity: Remembering Outstanding Virtue
  • Wolbongseowon Confucian Academy: Repository of the Four-Seven Debate