Joseon Dynasty

The Joseon Dynasty was a Korean Dynasty founded by General Yi Seong-gye, lasting from 1392-1897. In the early period of the dynasty, there were many political and social reforms and an increase in Confucian influence. The main philosophy was Confucianism, especially Neo-Confucianism, a religion in Eastern Asia that emphasized moral virtues and social order. While this belief heavily influenced the Joseon Dynasty’s social hierarchy, government structure, and education, the Joseon Dynasty is most well-known for its cultural achievements in various fields such as art, architecture, science, and literature. Due to this mass cultural influence, the Joseon Dynasty is sometimes known as the Korean Renaissance, as its European counterpart achieved the same cultural impact. Like the European Renaissance, the Joseon Dynasty included influential painters such as Hyewon (Shin Yun-bok) and Danwon (Kim Hong-do), as well as newer art forms like realism and ceramics. It also embraced literature such as Confucian classics and Neo-Confucian literature and also created the Korean alphabet under the rule of King Sejong the Great. There were many scientific advancements like the water clock and celestial globes, which played a part in Korea's advanced technology. Overall, the Joseon dynasty helped shape Korea’s history and culture, and its legacy continues to influence modern-day Korea.