The Selection of Royal Tomb Sites in the Joseon Dynasty as Reflected in the Shuanlingduanjianyizui

This study aims to analyze Taegil(擇日, Selection of an auspicious day) as recorded in the『Shuanlingduanjianyizui(山陵都監儀軌)』 in order to examine the characteristics of the time standards used in sangnye(喪禮) and gibang(忌方) observed during the Joseon Dynasty. The procedures of sangnye originated from the expression of filial piety and the repayment of gratitude toward the deceased. This tradition was not solely based on Confucius’ teachings, but rather had already been established as a ritual norm since antiquity. This is why regulations concerning sangnye are found in classical texts such as『Liji(禮記)』,『Yili(儀禮)』,『Zhouli(周禮)』,『Jiali(家禮)』and the『Chunqiuzoushizhuan(春秋左氏傳)』. Even during the Joseon Dynasty, which placed great emphasis on Neo-Confucianism, sangnye continued to be regarded as a significant ritual norms. In the early Joseon period, however, only annotated commentaries on the『Zhouzijiali(朱子家禮) were available. Various auspicious date selection manuals were also used to determine the proper timing of sangnye. Texts such as the 『Kezetongshu(剋擇通書)』, the 『Shiyongtongshu(時用通書)』, the『Xiejitongyi(協吉通義)』, the 『Xiangjitongshu(象吉通書)』, and the『Xuanzejiyao(選擇紀要)』 served as essential instructional materials in Gwan-sang-gam(觀象監) for training and appointing officials known as chugilgwan(諏吉官). In the royal funerary process, the prescribed times and directions outlined in these manuals were rigorously observed, and implementing these prescriptions constituted one of the principal responsibilities of the Shuanlingduanjian(山陵都監).