2026 Sungnyemun Gate Guard Changing Ceremony

About the Festival

The 'Sungnyemun Gate Guard Changing Ceremony', which guards Sungnyemun Gate, is officially closed on Mondays and operates daily from 10:00 to 15:40, excluding Mondays. "Pasu" (把守) refers to guarding the capital city walls, and it was one of the important military rituals during the Joseon Dynasty. Defending the capital city walls was the most crucial issue during the Joseon Dynasty, and it became a serious problem, especially after experiencing events like the Imjin War and the Qing Invasion during King Seonjo's reign. The Pasu ceremony is a Joseon Dynasty military ritual that connects the opening and closing ceremonies of the capital city gates at "injeong" (the evening bell) and "paru" (the morning bell), as well as patrol rituals. Considering its position and role within the central military system, it was an ceremony as important as guarding the royal palace. The procedure for the 'Sungnyemun Gate Guard Changing Ceremony' event begins with the guards lining up in front of Sungnyemun Gate, their duty station. Then, the Geumrugwan (bell ringer) who announces "paru" appears, followed by the sound of conch shells and trumpets. Under the command of the Hogun (commander), the guards proceed with the Sungnyemun Gate opening ceremony. Afterwards, the Pasu ceremony guarding Sungnyemun Gate begins, and after the changing of shifts between the 1st and 2nd guard units, the Pasu ceremony continues. Subsequently, 6 more changing ceremonies and Pasu ceremonies are performed, and then, under the command of the Hogun, the guards proceed with the Sungnyemun Gate closing ceremony.