The Korea Heritage Service has unveiled the official emblem for the upcoming 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, highlighting the significant aesthetic and historical value of Jongmyo Shrine. Jongmyo was the first site in South Korea to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995, alongside Seokguram Grotto, Bulguk Temple, and the Janggyeong Panjeon Hall of Haein Temple.
Jongmyo Shrine is a revered site where the ancestral tablets of Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) kings and queens are enshrined.
The emblem’s design incorporates the shape and color of the tiled roof of Jeongjeon, Jongmyo’s main hall, symbolizing “the 600-year heritage of royal rituals and traditional architecture preserved in the heart of Seoul,” according to the Korea Heritage Service. The emblem represents the rich history and cultural significance of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Korea Heritage Service plans to release a promotional video featuring the emblem next month and is developing related cultural products to further showcase the importance of Jongmyo Shrine.
The 48th session of the World Heritage Committee, a crucial intergovernmental body responsible for reviewing nominations and the conservation of World Heritage sites, will be held from July 19-29 at the BEXCO convention center in Busan. This event marks the first time South Korea has hosted such a significant meeting since joining the World Heritage Convention in 1988.
