The Meeting of Eastern and Western Astronomy... Publication of Joseon-Era "New and Old Celestial Maps" Research Series

A Unique Celestial Map Format from the Joseon Dynasty
Eastern and Western Celestial Maps Combined on a Single Folding Screen
Created in 1788... Believed to Be the Oldest Surviving Version

The National Folk Museum of Korea announced on September 15 that it has published the first specialized book in Korea on celestial maps reflecting the characteristics of the Joseon Dynasty, titled "Treasure: New and Old Celestial Maps in the Collection of the National Folk Museum of Korea." The book presents comprehensive research findings, focusing on the restoration process of the folding screen celestial maps owned by the museum, and includes scientific analyses and historical examinations of celestial maps from Korea and abroad.

Treasure 'New and Old Celestial Maps'. Provided by the National Folk Museum of Korea

The New and Old Celestial Maps are a unique type of celestial map produced only in Joseon, featuring the Joseon-era "Cheonsang Yeolcha Bunyajido" and the Western-style "Hwangdo Nambuk Yangjong Seongdo" arranged side by side on a single folding screen. This rare artifact is considered an important cultural heritage, as it illustrates the scientific understanding and acceptance of foreign knowledge in Joseon during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The version held by the National Folk Museum of Korea was acquired in 1994 as eight separate panels. Recognized as the only surviving example in Korea, believed to have been created around 1788, it was designated as a treasure in 2001 and given the name "New and Old Celestial Maps." For over 20 years, it was preserved as individual panels, but starting in 2019, research began to restore it to its original form, culminating in the successful restoration of the folding screen format in 2023.

The series documents the entire process from acquisition to restoration. It includes detailed plates, constellation illustrations, explanatory diagrams, and comprehensive information on natural and synthetic pigments by color.

The series can be downloaded from the National Folk Museum of Korea website. The preservation and restoration process of the "New and Old Celestial Maps" can be viewed as a video on the National Folk Museum of Korea's YouTube channel.