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82-436: In texts, Queen Seondeok is indicated not only as Seondeok yeowang ( 선덕여왕 ; 善德女王 ), but also as Seondeok wang ( 선덕왕 ; 善德王 ), Seondeok yeodaewang ( 선덕여대왕 ; 善德女大王 ) and Seongjohwanggo ( 성조황고 ; 聖祖皇姑 ). Born Princess Deokman ( 德曼 ), Seondeok was the daughter of King Jinpyeong and Queen Maya of Silla . She had two siblings, Princess Cheonmyeong and Princess Seonhwa (although Seonhwa's existence

164-498: A Sangdaedeung for Queen Seondeok. 3. Lord Heumbahn  [ ko ] : was said to be one of King Jinpyeong's brothers. According to the Samguk yusa , she married Galmunwang Eum  [ ko ] . According to Changnyeong Jo clan  [ ko ] tradition, she was married to the clan founder Jo Gye-ryong. However, it is widely believed that she did not let herself be wed in order to avoid political conflicts, hence

246-496: A box of peony seeds and a peony painting sent by Emperor Taizong of Tang. When she saw the painting, she commented that even though the flowers are pretty, it must not have much fragrance because no butterflies or bees were around them. Peonies, therefore, are equated with her wisdom and insight. The Legend of Jigwi is recorded in Daedongunbugunok  [ ko ] . A man named Jigwi  [ ko ] , who lived near

328-466: A brutal battle of 100 days. Ongoing attacks included one on the fortress of Mosan ( 모산성 ; 母山城 ) in 616, Neuknohyeon ( 늑노현 ; 勒弩縣 ) in 623, and the three fortresses of Sokham ( 속함성 ; 速含城 ), Gijam ( 기잠성 ; 歧暫城 ), and Hyeolchaek ( 혈책성 ; 穴柵城 )in 624. In 626 Baekje attacked the fortress of Jujae ( 주재성 ; 主在城 ), and two additional fortresses were taken with many people taken hostage in 627. In 628, Silla defeated Baekje at

410-493: A department for the management of the country's navy. He established an independent era reign name in 584, the department Jobu ( 조부 ; 調府 ) to oversee taxes and obligatory labor, and Seungbu ( 승부 ; 乘府 ) to manage transport wagons and coaches. Three officials were appointed to manage the major three palaces in 585, and in 586 the department Yebu ( 예부 ; 禮部 ) was established to oversee rituals and ceremonies. In 588, he placed Ichan Sueulbu ( 이찬 수을부 , hanja 伊飡 首乙夫) as

492-522: A diplomat to Sui dynasty of China in order to establish a diplomatic relationship between their countries. Two years later, he sent Monk Damyook to Sui in order to study Chinese Buddhism. Year 602 , Amak Fortress was invaded by Baekje forces led by General Hae Su. As a result, King Jinpyeong sent thousands of soldiers to fight them back and built fortresses in Cheonsan, Sota and Wae Seok. However, King Mu of Baekje fought back by sending 40,000 troops to attack

574-432: A force of 10,000 to take Silla's Daeya Fortress and kill Kim Chunchu 's daughter and son-in-law. The next year, with Goguryeo, Baekje attacked Silla again and tried to block its diplomatic route to Tang China. When Silla-Tang forces attacked Goguryeo in 645, he attacked Silla and took seven castles. Baekje and Goguryeo hit Silla's northern border in 655. Soon upon becoming king, Uija undertook political reform to control

656-488: A legend in the Samguk yusa , Mu was a Baekje peasant who married Princess Seonhwa of Silla (making her Uija's mother), but this is not considered orthodox history. Uija was made crown prince in January 632 and became king upon his father's death in 641. Although friendly with Tang China at first, Uija soon allied with Goguryeo to attack Silla. In 642, he led a campaign against Silla and conquered some 40 castles. He also sent

738-447: A modern version of the story. Jigwi fell in love with Queen Seondeok, whom he met every night through her dream. In her dream, he appears as a handsome Hwarang, who gave her predictions and solutions for the crises she faced as a ruler. Through Jigwi's assistance, Queen Seondeok overcame many problems. They met each other in a bridge in her dream, but suddenly Jigwi stopped appearing in her dreams. The queen started to wonder what happened to

820-469: A rebellion against her. Queen Seondeok was buried in a tomb on Nangsan, one of the sacred mountains in Gyeongju. After Queen Seondeok's death, her cousin was then named as the next female ruler of Silla, and became Queen Jindeok . Like her father, Queen Seondeok was drawn to Buddhism. Silla built many temples, pagodas, and Buddha statues during her reign. One of the famous temples that was built during her time

902-520: A rebellion but their plan was discovered early and, as a result, Chilseok was beheaded in the marketplace along with his entire family. Seokpum was able to escape and run all the way to the Baekje border but the thought of his wife made him come back after exchanging clothes with a woodcutter, he was then arrested by the soldiers that were waiting for him at his house and was executed later on. On that same year, King Jinpyeong sent two beautiful women from Silla to

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984-458: A result; some officials planned an uprising in order to stop her from being crowned. On May of 631, Ichan Chilsuk ( 이찬 칠숙 ) and Achan Seokpum ( 아찬 석품 ) planned a rebellion. But, their plan was discovered and suppressed early on. As punishment, Chilsuk was beheaded in the market place along with his entire family. Seokpum was able to escape and ran to the Baekje border. However, he missed his wife and decided to return after exchanging clothes with

1066-467: A ruler but Seondeok was unfazed as Korean rulers of Korean dynasties have always seen themselves as equal to the rulers of Chinese dynasties. According to the Samguk sagi , in March, 636, the queen became ill and no amount of prayers and medicine worked. In March, 638, a large stone on the south side of the mountain moved on its own, and seven months later, Goguryeo attacked the mountain valley. The next year,

1148-459: A son would be born, so that the kingdom would not be entrusted to a woman. When they failed to conceive a child, Kim Yong Chun asked the king to allow him to retire as Princess Deokman's consort. The king agreed to his request, but asked him to assist Princess Deokman once she took over the throne. He went on to marry Princess Cheonmyeong in order to fulfill his brother's dying wish. 2. Ulje : served as an official during King Jinpyeong's reign and as

1230-516: A spiritual guide for the kingdom and encouraging Buddhist teachings. His 54 year long reign is the longest in Silla's history. King Jinpyeong was born as Kim Baek-Jeong. His father, Crown Prince Dongryun, was the first son of King Jinheung . And his mother, Lady Mano, was the daughter of Galmunwang, Kim Reep Jong. The Samguk sagi describes King Jinpyeong as someone: big in stature, has a notable face and possessed great determination and sharp intellect as

1312-487: A truce between the two countries, albeit briefly. Although King Jinpyeong focused on reinforcing defense by building forts and fortresses and strengthening the military system, Silla was in constant conflict with its two neighbors, Baekje and Goguryeo . In 602, Baekje troops attacked the fortress Amak ( 아막성 ; 阿莫城 ) but were turned back, and in 603 Gogguryeo attacked the fortress at Bukhansan ( 북한산성 ; 北漢山城 ) but were defeated when King Jinpyeong himself joined

1394-421: A woodcutter. Upon his return, he was arrested by soldiers waiting for him at his home, and was later executed. In January 632, Queen Seondeok became the first queen regnant of Silla. As a ruler, Queen Seondeok's primary concern was the livelihood of her people. Right after she was crowned, she appeased her people by telling them what her policies would be. She sent royal inspectors throughout the kingdom to improve

1476-715: A youth. His father, Prince Dongryun, died before being able to ascend the throne. Four years later, King Jinheung died, his second son, King Jinji ascended the throne and became the 25th King of Silla . After 3 years, King Jinji was overthrown and eventually died a year after, King Jinpyeong was then proclaimed as Silla's 26th ruler. He married Queen Maya , the daughter of Galmunwang Bokseung, they had three daughters: Princess Cheonmyeong , Princess Deokman and Princess Seonhwa . He also had children with his concubines. Samguk yusa says that he had another wife after Queen Maya, she's called Lady Seungnam who later on became his second Queen. According to Hwarang Segi , after Princess Deokman

1558-495: Is a description of a "fire burning under the ground of Mojiak ( 모지악 ; 毛只嶽 ) for 9 months during the reign of King Jinpyeong in the year 609". It is assumed that Mojiak is the present region of Youngil, North Gyeongsang Province , where brown coal is excavated. Uija of Baekje Uija (599?–660, r. 641 –660) was the 31st and final ruler of Baekje , one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea . His reign ended when Baekje

1640-638: Is buried in Bomun-dong , Gyeongju . His tomb was designated a historical landmark by the Korean government in 1969. There is a story about King Jinpyeong's jade belt in the history Samguk yusa , in which the belt is said to have been given by the heavens. In 579, when King Jinpyeong ascended to the throne, angels landed on the palace gardens and gave King Jinpyeong a gift from the Jade Emperor . King Jinpyeong always wore this belt in rituals and ceremonies in honor of

1722-424: Is controversial due to the discovery of evidence in 2009 that points to King Uija's mother as being Queen Sataek and not Seonhwa as indicated by historical records). It is uncertain whether she or Cheonmyeong was the first born. According to the disputed text  Hwarang Segi , Cheonmyeong was older than Seondeok. According to the historical text  Samguk sagi , Seondeok was the eldest daughter. According to

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1804-506: Is one of the meanings of Yin , which also has the meaning of white, and the white color stands for the West. So I knew that an army was lying in the West. As we say, a man is supposed in some sense to die during the act of creating new life. Since the Baekje army was hiding in the valley known as the Cradle of Life, I knew that it would be easy to defeat them." This shows that the queen was well-versed in

1886-755: The Sui dynasty in 596, with emissaries and gifts sent from King Jinpyeong. These emissaries to China including Buddhist monks were continuously sent during King Jinpyeong's reign, and the two countries remained on amicable terms. In 608, when Silla was under attack from Baekje and Goguryeo , King Jinpyeong asked for the Sui 's aid, with requests written by the monk Wongwang. Sui complied and joined forces with Silla in their attacks of Goguryeo, and in 613 Emperor Yang of Sui sent emissaries to Silla who participated in Buddhist ceremonies held by Monk Wongwang at Hwangnyong Temple . Diplomatic relations with China continued throughout

1968-466: The 27th ruler of Silla after him. Princess Cheonmyeong's son, became the 29th ruler of Silla. According to the Samguk yusa , his third daughter Princess Seonhwa, married King Mu of Baekje . (Historians considered this unlikely, given the hostilities between the rival kingdoms.) Since King Jinpyeong was only 13 years old when he ascended the throne, Queen Dowager Sado , served as a regent until he reached

2050-624: The Buddha's sayings, "Dori-cheon is above the Sacheonwang-cheon", was accomplished by the queen. However, rather than prediction, some historians think of it as her last wish: having suffered so much jealousy and prejudice for being a woman during her reign, this may have been her way to show her desire to be reincarnated as a man in Doricheon in her next life. Jinpyeong of Silla Jinpyeong ( Korean :  진평 ; 567? – 632, reign 579 – 632)

2132-531: The Hwangnyongsa temple to pray for the wisdom and strength to save Silla from danger. Bunhwangsa , Oseam , Sangwonsa , Yeongmyosa  [ ko ] , Tongdosa , Woljeongsa , Baekdamsa , and Magoksa were built during her reign. She also built the "Star-Gazing Tower," or Cheomseongdae , considered the first dedicated observatory in the Far East, which helped farmers at that time. The tower still stands in

2214-448: The Queen's residence. Bidam, who saw the star, claimed it was a sign of the queen's impending downfall, to encourage his superstitious followers. The queen, who heard of the event, became fearful and anxious, but Kim Yushin calmed her by telling her not to worry, for he had a plan to suppress the rebellion. He then flew a huge kite with a burning scarecrow attached to it, to make it appear that

2296-523: The Sui dynasty and the following Tang dynasty . Gifts were sent with emissaries to Tang in 621 and the Emperor Gaozu sent silks, folding screens of art with an official statement in return. These diplomatic relations continued in the following years and Silla used this relation for asking for Tang's assistance against Goguryeo. Emperor Gaozu of Tang sent governors to both Silla and Goguryeo in 626 to bring about

2378-525: The Sui dynasty has fallen and was succeeded by the Tang dynasty . That same year, King Jinpyeong ordered Byeon Poom to take back Kajam fortress from the Baekje but failed to do so. After that loss, King Jinpyeong sent a diplomat to the new dynasty of Tang, in order to establish a diplomatic relationship between their countries. Year 623 , Baekje attacked Neuk Noh of Silla. Year 624 , Baekje surrounded 6 fortresses of Silla. General Nool Choi fought back bravely but

2460-578: The Tang dynasty. She was ridiculed at first; however, after seeing the growing strength of Goguryeo, the Emperor of Tang, finally accepted her offer. On February 8, 647 (January 8, lunar calendar), Queen Seondeok faced her greatest challenge when several of her highest officials started a rebellion against her. They were led by Bidam, who asserted that: "The female king failed to rule the country, therefore women should stop ruling". Bidam had strong political influence in

2542-441: The battle. Baekje continued with their attacks in 605, as did Goguryeo. King Jinpyeong sent the monk Wongwang to Sui with a request for aid against these attacks in 608. The aid from Sui came after Silla had lost many people and fortresses, and ultimately the joined forces failed in deterring Goguryeo attacks. Conflicts with Baekje escalated in 611, when they attacked the fortress of Gajam ( 가잠성 ; 椵岑城 ) and claimed it after

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2624-431: The border of Goguryeo , went to Seorabeol and saw the queen who was passing by while on a visit to the capital city. He fell in love with her despite their difference in age and social status. He stopped eating and sleeping and did nothing but call out the queen's name all day, eventually losing his mind. One day, Queen Seondeok went to visit a Buddhist temple to pray. As she was passing by, Jigwi appeared while calling out

2706-407: The care of widows, widowers, orphans, the poor, and the elderly. During that same year, she sent a diplomat to pay tribute to the Emperor of the Tang dynasty of China, and inform him about Silla's new ruler. However, Emperor Taizong of Tang refused to acknowledge Seondeok as a ruler because she was a woman. In the second year of Queen Seondeok's reign, Cheomseongdae , an astronomical observatory,

2788-408: The court, and thus created the biggest rebellion in Silla's history. Since most of the army had been sent to different parts of the Silla kingdom to defend it from potential foreign invasions, the rebellion was a great threat. According to a famous anecdote about Bidam's rebellion , on the night of Bidam's rebellion, Queen Seondeok's health had deteriorated sharply due to illness, and a star fell near

2870-471: The daughter and son-in-law of Kim Chunchu . In 643, Baekje and Goguryeo conquered Danghang Fortress, blocking an important sea route to the Tang dynasty. Because of this, Queen Seondeok sent a diplomat to the Emperor of Tang and asked for assistance. The Emperor gave her three proposals. First, he would attack the Liaodong Peninsula and carry out a naval campaign on the west to occupy the Baekje. Second,

2952-412: The disputed text  Hwarang Segi , because King Jinpyeong had no son whom he could pass the crown to, he began to consider his son-in-law, Kim Yongsu (husband of Princess Cheonmyeong) as his successor - after recognizing his achievements for the country. When Princess Deokman heard of it, she made a plea to her father, asking him to give her a chance to compete for the throne, insisting that she too has

3034-499: The division grew even deeper, as many nobles were opposed to the idea of having a queen. Political dissension reached its peak in May 631, when Ichan Chilsuk ( 이찬 칠숙 ) and Achan Seokpum ( 아찬 석품 ) plotted an uprising based on their opposition to having Princess Deokman as their next ruler. The revolt was discovered in advance and was stopped by Alcheon and Bidam; Chilsuk was beheaded in public and his relatives executed . Although Seokpum

3116-495: The emperor of Tang, but they were sent back to Silla. Year 632, King Jinpyeong died aged 66 after reigning Silla for 53 years. He was succeeded by his daughter Kim Deokman, who became Queen Seondeok later on, the first female ruler of Korea. King Jinpyeong continued to restructure and reorganize during his reign; in 581 he set up Wihwabu ( 위화부 ; 位和府 ), an administrative department for managing government officials and personnel, and in 583 Seonbuseo ( 선부서 ; 船府署 ),

3198-407: The emperor would provide thousands of Tang uniforms and army flags in order to help Silla soldiers disguise themselves as Chinese troops. Third, he would send a male royal of Tang descent to serve as a new king of Silla, as, according to him, Silla faced constant threat because their enemies did not fear them due to their having a female ruler. The diplomat returned to Silla, unable to tell the Queen of

3280-415: The flowers bloomed, wilted and died, without giving off any scent. People were surprised that she had known of it, and asked her about it. She explained it thus: "The painting showed no butterfly or bees beside the flowers. When he sent me this gift, Emperor Taizong was mocking me for not having a husband." The peony flower does not have any scent, which is why butterflies were not interested on it — implying

3362-470: The fortress of Gajam and in 629 generals Kim Yong Chun ( 김용춘 ), Kim Seo Hyeon ( 김서현 ), and Kim Yushin ( 김유신 ) conquered Goguryeo 's fortress Nangbi ( 낭비성 ; 娘臂城 ). The continuous battles with Baekje and Goguryeo took its toll on Silla and its people. Drought, famine, and disquiet spread through the country. The ruling nobility frequently held conflicting political views; when King Jinpyeong designated his daughter Princess Deokman as his heir

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3444-476: The future attack. Year 627 , General Sa Gyeol of Baekje, took 2 fortresses from the western part of Silla and capture its residence. Year 628 , Silla succeeded in taking Kajam fortress back. Year 629 , Kim Yongsu and Kim Seo Hyun, conquered Nangbi fortress of Goguryeo. Because of non-stop wars against the Baekje and Goguryeo, Silla became very poor and resulted to famine. Many families sold their children and lands. May of 631 , Chilseok and Seokpum planned

3526-452: The heavens. Along with the 9 story pagoda and statue of Buddha at the temple Hwangnyongsa , the jade belt is considered one of the three main treasures of Silla . After the fall of Silla, King Gyeongsun gave the belt to Goryeo 's Taejo . According to this legend, King Jinpyeong was 11 feet (about 253 cm) tall. [1] The first record of coal in Korea is in the Samguk sagi , where there

3608-405: The highest government official of Sangdaedeung , and a special department that looked after foreign diplomats, Younggaekbu ( 영객부 ; 領客府 ), was set up in 591. The King also made reforms in the regional counties and prefecture system. A new district, Bukhansanju ( 북한산주 ; 北漢山州 ), was created in preparation against attacks from Goguryeo in 604, and in 614 Ilseonju ( 일선주 ; 一善州 )

3690-543: The legal age. However, Queen Sado still refused to give him full control of Silla even after he reached the legal age. She appointed Noribu , as the Sangdaedeung and Hujik as the head of the Military. Noribu died on December of 588, Sueulbu became the next Sangdaedeung after him. King Jinpyeong relied heavily on these two chief officials to solidify his kingdom in both internal affairs and international relations. He also gave

3772-406: The lunar calendar) shortly before Bidam's rebellion was completely suppressed. There is no known record identifying the exact cause of her death, but Queen Seondeok was known to have had an unspecified illness shortly prior to her death, and this illness is most commonly theorized as the cause of her death. Some historians state it is also possible she died partly out of shock that Bidam had instigated

3854-419: The man in her dreams and started to miss him and so she went to the bridge where they used to meet in her dreams. But Jigwi was nowhere to be found, and instead, the one she saw was a sleeping beggar. The queen did not recognize him as the same man who appeared in her dream but still, she decided to leave her bracelet on the chest of the sleeping man. When Jigwi woke up, he was overwhelmed with love and longing for

3936-483: The next female rulers after her ( Queen Jindeok and Queen Jinseong ) were not married either. This story is recorded in the Samguk yusa . Emperor Taizong of China once sent the queen a painting of three peony flowers in red, purple and white, along with its actual seeds. When the queen had the seeds planted in her garden, she made a remark that "even though the flower was pretty, it probably does not have much fragrance". Her words were then proven to be correct when

4018-640: The north side of Han Fortress. And so, King Jinpyeong retaliated by leading the army himself with 10,000 troops and succeeded. Year 605 , Silla attacked Baekje. However, Goguryeo attacked them as a result. Year 608 , King Jinpyeong ordered Monk Won-Gwang to write a letter to the Sui dynasty , asking them for assistance to attack Goguryeo, knowing that the Emperor of Sui wasn't happy about Goguryeo's refusal of paying tributes. When King Yeongyang heard of it, he attacked Silla and took over Woo Myeong fortress and captured 8,000 people of Silla. Year 611 , King Jinpyeong asked Sui again to attack Goguryeo again. July of

4100-509: The old Silla capital of Gyeongju, South Korea and is the oldest surviving observatory in East Asia. According to Hwarang Segi , Queen Seondeok had three husbands. 1. Kim Yongchun , a child of King Jinji and Princess Cheonmyeong's brother-in-law. He served as an official during King Jinpyeong's reign and served as a Sangdaedeung for Queen Seondeok. Supposedly King Jinpyeong ordered Kim Yong Chun to become Princess Deokman's consort, in hope that

4182-537: The order "When I die, bury me near the Doricheon ( 忉利天 , "Heaven of Grieved Merits")" which in Buddhism refers to a certain level of Heaven. When asked where the Doricheon was, she replied that it was on the southern side of Mt. Namsan. Decades after her death, the thirtieth king Munmu of Silla constructed Sacheonwang-sa ( 四天王寺 , "Temple of the Four Heavenly Kings ") in her tomb. Then the nobles realized that one of

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4264-413: The philosophy of Yin and Yang , and interpreted all the icons correctly. It is also remarkable to see the queen's reference to the symbolic "death" of the male during the act of love. The fact that the queen openly dealt with the topic in front of her male courtiers also showed her boldness. This story is recorded in the Samguk yusa . Some days before she died, Seondeok gathered her officials and gave

4346-406: The plan with the firm belief that a work of religious devotion would bring her people together and show her people that Silla was still far from ruin. She told her royal subjects to "tear down her palace and use its bricks and timbers, if they think they lack the funds". After two years, the pagoda was finally completed; it was called Hwangnyongsa (meaning "Imperial Dragon Temple") and was considered

4428-433: The pond and began to croak loudly for several days. When this strange phenomenon was reported to the queen, she immediately ordered two of her generals to lead 2,000 of her best soldiers to the western suburb of the city, and to look for a valley named Yeogeungok ("Cradle of Life"). She added that an enemy force would be found there lying in wait, which they would be sure to take by surprise. The two generals led their armies to

4510-602: The powers of the aristocracy. However, his reign was plagued by the internal power struggle among the nobles and corruption and decadence within the court. As the court fell into disarray, the Silla-Tang alliance, repeatedly frustrated by Goguryeo's Yeon Gaesomun, changed strategy and decided to attack Goguryeo's ally Baekje first. In 660, Baekje's navy was defeated by Tang's navy, and Silla's army led by Kim Yu-sin defeated Baekje's army led by Gye Baek . Sabi , Baekje's capital, (in present-day Buyeo , South Chungcheong Province )

4592-505: The proposals that the Tang Emperor had offered. At that point of crisis, Queen Seondeok sent for the well known Buddhist monk, Jajang , who had been studying under the great Buddhist masters of the Tang dynasty for seven years. Monk Jajang returned to Silla in 643. He advised the queen and her counselors to build the great nine-story pagoda for the dual purpose of blocking foreign invasions and calming her people. After careful consideration,

4674-415: The queen decided to accept Jajang's proposal, seeing it as necessary to overcome the crisis that they were facing at that time. However, during her meeting with her royal subjects, she learned that they were strongly against it due to concern for the state of the royal treasury, knowing that the construction of the pagoda would bring a heavy tax burden on her people. But the queen still decided to continue with

4756-432: The queen's name as usual. The queen's guard thrust him aside, causing a commotion. When the queen asked one of her attendants about the commotion, she was told of his story and took pity on him, and allowed him to follow her retinue to the temple. While the queen was praying inside the temple, Jigwi had to wait outside while sitting underneath a pagoda, where he fell asleep. When the queen finally emerged, she noticed Jigwi who

4838-509: The queen, that his heart turned into a fire that spread through his whole body. The fire flew to heaven and then rain started to fall, which ended the drought in Silla. This story is recorded in the Samguk yusa . Near the banks of the Seongjin river in the capital city, there was a temple called Yeongmyosa. In the temple grounds was a pond named Okmun ("Jade Gate"). On a certain day in winter, five years into her reign, frogs gathered together at

4920-469: The rank of Galmunwang to his brothers Baekban and Gukban, to solidify his power in the court. King Jinpyeong's achievement was the way he strengthened the Kingdom and improved the political system. He named himself, his wife and his younger siblings as people related to the Buddha which eventually made the entire royal family being seen as an especial household for the throne, completely different compared to

5002-478: The reason why she did not have a husband was probably because no man was interested on her (not being married was seen as something negative for one's character and status during those days). It is said that the temple Bunhwangsa (Fragrance of the Royal Temple) was built as a response to the mockery. Another version of that story tells that when Queen Seondeok was seven years old, her father King Jinpyeong received

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5084-475: The rest of the royal nobles. He also built different departments for different political purposes, such as: The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Education. Buddhism was embraced during this era, as King Jinpyeong actively sent envoys and monks to China to study and help in diplomatic relations. Buddhism in Silla developed as a strong, nation-protecting religion. Year 594 , King Jinpyeong sent

5166-490: The right to compete for the throne as much as Kim Yongsu has. Seeing her determination, the King gave her the chance to prove herself worthy of the throne. Although it was not unusual for women to wield power in Silla (Queen Sado also served as a regent for King Jinpyeong), the thought of having a female ruler sitting on the throne was still unacceptable for most of them. Therefore, Princess Deokman had to prove herself in order to gain

5248-466: The said fortresses. Silla sent General Gunpoom and Mu Eun to fight them back. During the battle, Mu Eun fell into Hae Su's ambush and almost got killed but was saved by his son Gwisan and Chu Hang, however the two were both killed in the battle. The bravery they have shown in their death raised the morale of Silla's army as a result, Baekje forces had no other choice but to retreat. Year 603 , King Yeongyang of Goguryeo sent his General, Go Seung to attack

5330-450: The same year, Kajam fortress was invaded by the Baekje. The next year, Emperor Yang of Sui decided to attack Goguryeo with more than 1 million troops. However, Sui lost and retreated just few months after the attack. The Emperor of the Sui dynasty continued to attack Goguryeo for the next 3 years out embarrassment for their lost, but still ended up in failure. Year 616 , Baekje attacked Mosan Fortress but retreated right away. Year 618 ,

5412-466: The sea water on the eastern part of the Silla kingdom turned red, which caused all of the fish living in it to die. These events made the people anxious, and some of them considered them as bad omens portending the Silla kingdom's downfall. In 642, Uija of Baekje personally led a campaign against Silla, and conquered 40 fortresses in the western part of Silla. General Yunchung conquered the strategically important Daeya Fortress with 10,000 men and executed

5494-471: The star was back in its place. Bidam's followers saw this, and became greatly discouraged. The rebellion was eventually suppressed by Kim Yu-sin and Kim Alcheon . According to the Samguk sagi , Bidam and his thirty followers were executed on February 17, 647 (lunar calendar). The rebellion therefore lasted for fewer than 10 days, and failed in its goal to overthrow the government of Queen Seondeok. Queen Seondeok died on February 20, 647 (January 8, 647 in

5576-452: The tallest temple in East Asia at that time. During that same year, Queen Seondeok appointed a nobleman named Bidam to the highest position in the court ( Sangdaedeung ). During the reign of Queen Seondeok, the first foundation for unifying the three Kingdoms under Silla was laid. A series of attacks and raids by the combined forces of Baekje and Goguryeo had brought the kingdom to a point of crisis. The queen decided to form an alliance with

5658-455: The temple to express his burning passion for the queen. In another version of the story, Jigwi was beaten by the palace guards for calling out the queen's name every day until he could no longer move. His soul became a fire spirit and burned down the pagoda and people's houses. The people who were scared of Jigwi's wrath asked the Queen for help, so she made a talisman for them to put in front of their houses to block away Jigwi's fire spirit. In

5740-410: The trust and support of her people. Eventually, she succeeded, and was named as King Jinpyeong's successor. But this story is not mentioned in the historical texts  Samguk sagi and  Samguk yusa . According to the Samguk yusa , the reason Seondeok became a female monarch was just because there was no male Seonggol of Bone-rank system . The decision was not accepted by everyone, and as

5822-415: The valley the queen had mentioned, near Mt. Bu, and destroyed not only the detachment of 500 Baekje soldiers they found there, but also a force of 1,200 reinforcements which came later to aid them. When asked how she had foreseen the Baekje invasion simply because of the croaking of frogs. The queen explained, "A group of angry frogs signifies an army. Jade Gate is an expression for a woman's chastity. Woman

5904-483: Was a fervent advocate for Buddhism, and many monks made travels to China during his rule while serving diplomatic roles. The monk Jimyeong ( 지명 ; 智明 ) who went to China's Chen dynasty in 585 to study Buddhism returned in 602 with emissaries, and the monk Wongwang ( 원광 ; 圓光 ), who had gone to study in China in 589, also returned with emissaries in 600. The monk Damyuk ( 담육 ; 曇育 ) also went to study under

5986-525: Was able to escape, he later returned and was eventually captured and killed. With the rebellion put down, power was left mainly in the hands of the King's supporters (the most important of them was Kim Yushin , Commander in Chief of the Royal Army from 629), and it was in this political atmosphere that Princess Deokman was able to become Queen. King Jinpyeong died in January 632, in the 54th year of his reign. He

6068-457: Was built to help the farmers. She also announced a whole year of tax exemption for the peasants and reduced the tax for the middle class, and through this act of kindness, the queen won the people's support and her position was strengthened against the opposition of the male aristocracy. In June of the same year, Queen Seondeok sent a diplomat to pay nominal tribute to the Tang Emperor again; however, Emperor Taizong still refused to acknowledge her as

6150-433: Was conquered by an alliance of the rival Korean kingdom Silla and China 's Tang dynasty . During this time, the northern Korean kingdom of Goguryeo , under the control of Yeon Gaesomun , took aggressive stances against Silla and the Tang. Silla responded by eventually allying closely with Tang China, threatening Baekje in the middle. According to the Samguk sagi , Uija was the eldest son of King Mu . According to

6232-564: Was formed in preparation against Baekje . In 622, King Jinji 's son Kim Yong Chun was appointed as the first Naeseongsasin ( 내성사신 ; 內省私臣 ), the official who managed the three major palaces. The reforms continued with the department of the Palace Guards Siwibu ( 시위부 ; 侍衛府 ); the department Sangsaseo ( 상사서 ; 賞賜署 ), which looked after national heroes and their families; and Daedoseo ( 대도서 ; 大道署 ) which oversaw affairs regarding Buddhism. King Jinpyeong

6314-420: Was nominated as King Jinpyeong's successor, Queen Seungnam gave birth to a son which put Princess Deokman's status as a successor at stake. However, her son died shortly for unknown reason. Queen Seungnam blamed Princess Deokman and Kim Yongchun for the death of her child. It is said that she was forced to leave the palace because of her severe jealousy which caused disturbance to the palace. Princess Deokman became

6396-434: Was only able to take back 3 of those fortresses. Year 625 , King Jipyeong sent a messenger to Tang and told them that Goguryeo was blocking Silla's route from paying tributes to Tang. Emperor Taizong of Tang, asked Goguryeo to stop attacking Silla, which the King of Goguryeo heed to. Year 626 , Baekje conquered Jujae fortress of Silla and killed the official of Dong So. Silla decided to build Go Hyeo fortress to prepare for

6478-447: Was sleeping behind the pagoda. She asked her attendants not to disturb the sleeping man, but placed her bracelet on Jigwi's chest as a keepsake. When Jigwi woke up and saw the bracelet that she had left for him, he was so overwhelmed with joy and love for the queen, that his whole body turned into a fire. The fierce flames of his love burned down the pagoda and Jigwi himself. Some versions of the legend tell that Jigwi burned down himself and

6560-413: Was surrounded by the Silla-Tang allied forces. Uija and the crown prince escaped to Ungjin (in present-day Gongju ), but surrendered when Sabi fell. He was taken to Tang along with his sons Buyeo Hyo and Buyeo Yung , 88 retainers, and 12,807 Baekje peasants. Another of his sons, Buyeo Pung , later attempted to restore his father's kingdom. In 2000, his remains were retrieved from China and buried in

6642-492: Was the 26th king of Silla , one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea . King Jinpyeong followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, King Jinji , by reorganizing the central ruling system of Silla. Upon the onset of a multitude of conflicts between Baekje and Goguryeo , he sent emissaries to improve relations and strengthen ties between Silla and the Chinese dynasties Sui and Tang . He is also known for his promotion of Buddhism as

6724-447: Was the temple of Hwangnyongsa . According to ancient architectural records, the pagoda was 68 or 80 meters in height, making it one of the tallest structures in East Asia at the time. The pagoda represented the earnest wish of Queen Seondeok and the Silla people, to protect the country and bring the three kingdoms of Korea under one ruler. It was an offering to the Buddha, in hope that these wishes would be fulfilled. The queen often visited

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