In the royal architecture of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), names carried extraordinary significance. They underlined the rulers’ political philosopy and ideology, and signified status.
The tradition of attaching signs to architectural structures is a popular cultural phenomenon in the so-called Chinese character zone in East Asia, dating back over 2000 years. The name boards and verse plaques on royal architecture of the Joseon Dynasty do not merely announce the functions and nature of the buildings, they are an agglomeration of holy teachings, verse, poetry, calligraphy, decoration and architectural art of those times. They are not only a symbol of social and cultural fashion, but also a way of expression of the ruling ideology philosophy of the Joseon dynasty, from which we can learn about the influence of Confucianism. The nominated documents are of great value for the study of history and architectural art, as well as the cultural exchanges among East Asian Countries in the Joseon Dynasty.