Heongang of Silla

Heongang of Silla
헌강왕
憲康王
King of Silla
Reign875-886
Coronation875
PredecessorGyeongmun of Silla
SuccessorJeonggang of Silla
Born861
Unified Silla
Died886
Unified Silla
HouseHouse of Kim
FatherGyeongmun of Silla
MotherQueen Munui
ReligionBuddhism
Heongang of Silla
Tomb of King Heongang in Gyeongju
Korean name
Hangul
헌강왕
Hanja
憲康王
Revised RomanizationHeongang wang
McCune–ReischauerHŏn'gang wang
Birth name
Hangul
김정
Hanja
金晸
Revised RomanizationGim Jeong
McCune–ReischauerKim Chŏng

Heongang (c.861–886), personal name Kim Chŏng, was the 49th to rule the Korean kingdom of Silla.[1]

According to the Samguk sagi, he excelled at civil affairs.[citation needed] Heongang was the eldest son of King Gyeongmun; his mother was Queen Munui.[citation needed] He had no legitimate heir, but did leave a son (later King Hyogong) by Lady Uimyeong.

In 879, Heongang was faced with the rebellion of a high official, his Ilgilchan Sin Hong.[citation needed] He is best remembered for the legends associated with him in the Samguk yusa, which claimed that a dancing dragon appeared before him and rewarded the king when he built a temple to pay homage to the dragon god.[2][3] In 886, he sought to defuse domestic discontent with a decree of general forgiveness.[citation needed]

Heongang was buried to the northeast of Borisa temple in Gyeongju.[citation needed]

  1. ^ "헌강왕" [King Heongang]. Doosan Encyclopedia (in Korean). Retrieved 2019-05-24.
  2. ^ "Exorcism". KBS World. December 11, 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  3. ^ Im, Felix. "The Dancing Dragon: A dragon's song and dance save the day against evil spirits". Korea.net. Retrieved 15 February 2024.