高麗王朝 天文曆算學의 성격

Characteristics of the Astrology of Goryeo Dynasty

So far, the research on the astrology of Goryeo Dynasty has been done mainly in two aspects. One is the analysis of texts, such as Cheonmunji (The Branch of the Astronomy) and Ohangji (The Branch of the Five Elements) of Goryeosa (The History of Goryeo), and the other is the study on the interaction of the view of nature, as an ideological basis of the Cheonmunji and Ohangji of Goryeosa, and the Confucian political principles of royalty. In this condition, this paper examines the characterstics or the meaning of the astrology of Goryeo Dynasty regarding the premodorn science not from a modern point of view but from a contemporary point of view. The development of the astrology of Goryeo Dynasty, in relation with the political ideology of Confucianism, can be considered in two aspects as follows. First, the observation was done as a basis for making a calendar. This is according to the practical need to adjust the China's developed calendar to the Goryeo society. Second, the abnormality of the heavenly bodies were continuously observed, in relation with some sorts of Confucian political ideology, such as Cheoninhapilsasang (Cheonmyoungsasang) and Jayiseol. Jayiseol, which played a major role as a political logic in the successive dynasties, entailed the absolute position of the monarch, who governed everything on behalf of the heaven (Dacheonyimul). The above facts tell us that the purpose and the function of the premodern astrology, including that of Goryeo Dynasty, was significantly different from that of today. Therefore, in order to understand it properly, we should take a contemporary approach. By doing so, we can see the various functions of astrology required to sustain the sovereignty.