- A Sacred Site Hidden by Heaven—Only the Chosen May Claim It
- Legends Say 12 Mountains Around WMD, Including Daedunsan and Indaesan, Give Rise to Great Figures
Original Korean article here
Feng Shui is a traditional geographic theory that explains the connection between natural environments and the fortunes of people. According to this theory, four elements must align to create a good site: mountains, water, direction, and people. Even if a location meets all the conditions of a good site, it remains hidden unless the right person comes to claim it. This means that a good site is said to “choose its owner.” The site only reveals itself to its rightful owner, and to become the owner of a good site, heaven must choose and permit it.
Among the places considered the best sites by Feng Shui experts is Wolmyeong-dong, where the Christian Gospel Mission’s retreat center is located. This area is surrounded by 12 mountains, and the terrain and formations shaped by nature over time emit a mysterious energy, giving rise to numerous legends. Wolmyeong-dong has been a place where prophecies predicted the emergence of a great figure. In particular, there is a legend that great figures will arise from the 12 mountains surrounding Wolmyeong-dong. There is a legend that a great figure will emerge who passes through two narrow gates on Daedunsan. The famous monk Wonhyo came in search of this legend but was unable to find it and eventually established a temple called Taegosa. On Gyeryongsan (Mt. Gyeryong), there is a prophecy that Jeong Do-ryeong will appear, and on Indaesan (Mt. Indae), there is a legend that a great figure will come down with a belt.
A resident living near Wolmyeong-dong, whom the reporter met during the cover, said, “In the past, many Feng Shui experts came here after hearing rumors of a good site, but they couldn’t find the site they were looking for. They only managed to find burial spots and left.” In fact, before the development of Wolmyeong-dong, it wasn’t a place with rugged cliffs or flowing valleys. It was only after CGM developed Wolmyeong-dong that the gold phoenix nesting, star-shaped formations, Purple Forbidden Enclosure, and half-moon site were discovered. Before the development, Wolmyeong-dong was considered a good site, but it didn’t yet reveal itself as the world’s most auspicious place where various forms emerge. The Wolmyeong-dong area shows that, no matter how good the land or legends may be, it may seem ordinary when hidden. However, once it meets its rightful owner and is refined and developed, it reveals its true form and becomes a renowned site recognized by everyone.
In Feng Shui, the most commonly recognized ideal landforms are those that have the concept of Baesan Imsu (back mountain and front water). The main mountain, left Qinglong, right Baihu, and the inner mountain should harmoniously surround the area, with water in front. A concave landform where the ridge of a mountain stretches down in the shape of left Qinglong [blue dragon] and right Baihu [white tiger] is considered a good site, and Wolmyeong-dong has such a terrain. With these conditions and various formations, it can be considered one of the finest scenic spots.
The mountain ranges stretch out like wings to the left and right in the shape of a throne, meeting at Indaesan
When viewed from Indaesan, Wolmyeong-dong appears like the throne of a king. An auspicious site must be surrounded by mountains, where the energy of the mountains can reach. The mountain ranges in the WMD area stretch southward from Baekdusan and Geumgangsan, following the Baekdudaegan and Taebaek ranges, and extend to the Sobaek, Noryeong, and Charyeong mountain ranges. At the end of this vast mountain stretch lies Wolmyeong-dong. Therefore, the energy flowing through Wolmyeong-dong originates from Baekdusan. There are 12 mountains surrounding the area, and strangely, the faces of all these mountains are directed toward Wolmyeong-dong. From a Feng Shui perspective, the fact that the mountains are facing Wolmyeong-dong means that it can receive the energy from all of them. A representative from the CGM emphasized, “Wolmyeong-dong is the best site in the eyes of God.”
The 1000-Year Capital Where the King Resides—Half-Moon Site Represents the Expanding Landscape Like a Rising Crescent
There was a legend in the Wolmyeong-dong area that there is a “half-moon site” for 200 years. Many people, drawn by the legend, came to Wolmyeong-dong to choose burial sites and build homes. The half-moon site was considered a place where a king would be born, thought to be the residence of a monarch. This is also why, during the Silla Dynasty period, the royal residence was called “Wolseong (Moon Fortress).”
The capital of the old Silla Dynasty, Gyeongju, when viewed from Namsan, also appeared in the shape of a half-moon. Similarly, in Wolmyeong-dong, the mountain range surrounding the area forms a half-moon shape, stretching from the front mountain, through the observation deck, and all the way to the back mountain behind the Cheonggiwa house. Just as the half-moon moon gradually fills to become a full moon, settling in this place symbolizes the growth of history and prosperity.
It is said that during the Three Kingdoms period, King Uija of Baekje dreamt of a turtle with the words “Baekje is a full moon, Silla is a crescent moon” written on its back. Interpreting the dream, it was said that Silla would become strong in the future, while Baekje’s national fortune would decline. Despite the king’s anger at the interpretation, the prophecy proved true, and Baekje eventually perished, while Silla unified the three kingdoms and continued its thousand-year history.
The Kingdom of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure (Jamiwon), Which Has Been Sought After for Ages… a Place Where a King Ruling the World Will Emerge.
The center of the heavens is believed to be the North Star. In the center of this is the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, where the Jade Emperor resides. Throughout history, kings believed that if they obtained the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, they could rule not just a country, but the world, so they were desperate to find the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.
During the early years of the Joseon Dynasty, it was believed that the Purple Forbidden Enclosure was located in what is now Sindoan, and there was an attempt to make it the capital. However, the claim made by Ha Ryun, that water flowed directly outwards making the land unfavorable, was accepted, and the capital of Joseon was established in Hanyang (present-day Seoul).
When Yi Seong-gye founded the Joseon Dynasty, he utilized Feng Shui principles in deciding the capital and the location of the palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace, the legal palace built during the early Joseon Dynasty, was constructed based on Feng Shui principles. The monk Mu-hak advised that the kingdom would prosper if the palace was situated with Inwangsan as the main mountain and Naksan in the view, but Jeong Do-jeon’s theory of Baegakjusanron (the theory of the king facing south to rule the people well) was accepted, leading to the choice of Bukaksan as the main mountain.
It is noteworthy that many Feng Shui experts believe that the Purple Forbidden Enclosure is located in Korea. While opinions vary on its exact location, there is consensus that it is somewhere centered around Gyeryongsan (Mount Gyeryong). Interestingly, Wolmyeong-dong also possesses a balanced form of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure. Just as the Purple Forbidden Enclosure is guarded by the Seven Governors, which are the seven stars— the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury, Wolmyeong-dong is also surrounded by seven valleys. The energy from the mountains of Baekdu Daegan (ridge) flows into Wolmyeong-dong, which also resembles the shape of a Golden Phoenix. In total, 12 mountains surround Wolmyeong-dong, and 4 smaller mountains specifically encircle it. This place is also where a new history of God’s gospel is unfolding globally. From Feng Shui perspective, it makes one wonder if this isn’t the place where Jesus, the King of Religion, will return spiritually and fulfill his purpose. Wolmyeong-dong, with its breathtaking natural scenery and recognition by Feng Shui experts as the finest location, is the reason visitors keep coming to this place.
Reporter Hong Seong-pil
