Hamabi, Jongmyo Shrine

Jongmyo Shrine Hamabi, Jongmyo Shrine During the Joseon Period, this area was a city center that many people traveled to and from just like today. By the entrance of Jongmyo Shrine seated at the center of our country, there stands a symbolic tablet that shows what kind of significance Jongmyo has had. It is none other than “Hamabi”. During the Joseon Period, no matter how noble or low-class you were, every passer-by had to get off his horse and show courtesy. Hamabi in Jongmyo Park is estimated to have been erected in the 4th year of King Hyeonjong's reign (1663) and, on the stone, Chinese letters that say “Daesoinwon Gaehama” are carved in. The phrase means that “everyone shall get off his horse and show his courtesy.” There were times when the king passed by in front of Jongmyo when he was moving to another royal palace or during a procession. At this time, the king would not get out of the palanquin or off his horse but, instead, stop the march briefly to pay his respects. Meanwhile, all of the vassals would get off their horses and stand around the king, and, before they restart their procession, they would bow as a way to show respect. The area surrounding Hamabi during the Joseon Period was where everyone had to pause his or her journey so a town with a temporary station in which people and horses may temporarily stay and rest was established naturally. Whoever that was riding a horse was a man of high nobility and, most of the times, he was accompanied by a horseman or a servant who would lead the horse. While their masters show courtesy in front of Hamabi, the horsemen are able to take short rests during which they greet one another and talk about different subjects. Later, the information and rumors that they exchanged in front of Hamabi began to be known as Hamapyeong, and these stories often spread quickly throughout the village and, even, the royal palace. If you have all paid your respects to Hamabi, let's go see Angbuilgu Daeseok right next to it.