Hangul 어좌 / 옥좌 / 보좌 Revised Romanization Eojwa / Okjwa / Bojwa | Hanja 御座 / 玉座 / 寶座 McCune–Reischauer Ŏjwa / Okchwa / Pojwa | |
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The Phoenix Throne (eojwa) is the English term used to identify the throne of the hereditary monarchs of Korea. In an abstract sense, the Phoenix Throne also refers rhetorically to the head of state of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897) and the Empire of Korea (1897–1910).
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The Phoenix motif symbolizes the king's supreme authority. The phoenix has a long association with Korean royalty — for example, in Goguryeo tomb murals like that of the Middle Gangseo Tumulus where the painted image of a phoenix is featured.
History
Enthronement ceremonies and the throne itself has evolved across the span of Korean history. For example, from 1399–1549, seven of twelve kings were enthroned in the royal throne hall (Geunjeong-jeon) at Gyeongbokgung Palace. In other words, Jeongjong, Sejong, Danjong, Sejo, Seongjong, Jungjong, and Myeongjong ascended the Phoenix Throne in the same royal location.
Rhetorical usage
This flexible English term is also a rhetorical trope. Depending on context, the Phoenix Throne can be construed as a metonymy, which is a rhetorical device for an allusion relying on proximity or correspondence, as for example referring to actions of the monarch or as "actions of the Phoenix Throne."
The Phoenix Throne is also understood as a synecdoche, which is related to metonymy and metaphor in suggesting a play on words by identifying a closely related conceptualization, e.g.,