Changing of the Guards

Yesterday I went to the changing of the guards ceremony with my friends. I made this video of it. I hope you enjoy. I also posted some info below of everything that is happening in the video.



About the Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony

In old days, the palace was restricted to ordinary people, and thus called "Geumgung" (the Restricted Palace) or "Geumnae" (the Restricted Inside). The soldiers, who were in charge of guarding this prohibited area and escorted the King, were named "Geumgun" (the Restriction Guards).

There was an office in the central palace for the restriction guards, who were in charge of protecting the King's residence. The chief of this office held the 12th rank in the government official system. In the Joseon Dynasty, the chief, along with the guards, were involved in three types of ceremonies: the ceremony of opening and closing the main gates of the palace, guarding the palace and patrolling.

The newly reorganized event combines these three ceremonies into one, and has been renamed the Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony.


Procedure of Changing Guards Ceremony
1) Guarding the Palace

The rite begins when an official of the Palace Secretariat hands down the password to the Chief of Guards. The two are needed in this opening procedure, which lasts for one minute. Then the Chief lines up 13 guards in front of the gate, who guard it for 20 minutes.

2) Marching & Changing of Guards

An official of the guards stands by for one minute with a box of keys. When the Chief and the relief arrive at the gate, the officials of both parties confirm each other's password. Upon the first drumbeat, the Official of the Guards delivers the key box to the other party. Upon the second drumbeat, the Chief of the Guards exchanges salutes with the Chief of Relief. Following the confirmation of the shift order, a guard beats the drum for the third time, and the relief changes positions with the outgoing guards. The Chief of Outgoing Guards turns over the panel of chief to the leader of the incoming guards and the two exchange salutes with each other before the former leaves the gate with his troops.
Marching Style

There is no great difference between today's military and the Joseon Dynasty military. The soldiers of the Joseon period, however, moved their feet naturally in a V-letter form with shoulder-wide strides, without bending their knees.

Marching Signals

According to historical records, in the Joseon period there were three types of marching signals: sound signals, flag signals, and drum or gong signals.



A soldier in traditional uniform

(1) Hwando: A sword about 90cm long

(2) Tungchae: A leather whip that was used as a baton to lead soldiers

(3) Tonggae: A quiver that contained a bow and arrows

(4) Hyopto: A knife with a long handle that was worn on one's side

(5) Yonggi: A flag that revealed the soldier as the gatekeeper

(6) Yonggo: A small drum for various signals during a march

(7) Nagak: A trumpet shell used at military ceremonies

(8) Omgo: A large drum used to signal the progress of military ceremonies