The Historic Origin of Sungdeokjeon and consciousness of inheriting Park Hyeokgeose

Sungdeokjeon is an ancestral shrine built in Gyeongju during Joseon. They hold a religious service for Park Hyeokgeose, the progenitor of Silla, at Sungdeokjeon. Although it was built during Joseon, the tradition of holding a religious service for Park Hyeokgeose had been inherited since early Silla.In Silla, they built the "Tomb of Hyeokgeose" in 6 and "Shingung" in 487, holding a religious service for Park Hyeokgeose. The kings of Silla offered Chinsa at "Tomb of Hyeokgeose" and "Shingung" themselves. In Silla, the royal legitimacy from Park Hyeokgeose held greater authority than the pedigree of blood ties along the paternal lines of Park, Seok, and Kim families. It continued even after the establishment of Omyo system to serve kings from the Kim family, indicating that Park Hyeokgeose enjoyed very powerful authority as the progenitor throughout Silla.National-level religious ceremonies for Park Hyeokgeose were abolished during Goryeo and resumed in Joseon. The Joseon government held a religious service after making tombs for the progenitors of Three Kingdoms including Park Hyeokgeose in 1429 to ensure the succession of the previous dynasties and emphasize the long history of Joseon. The religious service for Park Hyeokgeose was codified in Gukjooryeui under the item of "Hyangryeokdaesijo" during the rule of King Seongjong and managed at the national level.Myosa of Park Hyeokgeose that lasted as "Tomb of Silla s Progenitor" increased its authority further after it received "Sungdeokjeon" in 1723. Park Hyeokgeose received Jeonho first of the progenitors of Three Kingdoms, beating Kim Su-ro, the progenitor of Gaya, and other kings of Silla from the Seok and Kim families. Joseon changed the Jeonhos of the progenitors over time, which reflects the importance of the progenitors and shows the Joseon government s "consciousness of inheriting Park Hyeokgeose and Silla." The descendents of Park Hyeokgeose were appointed as Chambongs to manage Sungdeokjeon, which increased the authority of the Park family in the Hyangchon of Gyeongju.Sungdeokjeon was since managed and operated at the national level with its system completed and its building renovated during the reigns of Kings Yeongjo, Jeongjo and Gojong.