The Future Value of Seowon as the Embodiment of Neo-Confucian Ideals- Focusing on Ritual Sacrifice

Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2019, embody the deep connection between Neo-Confucian ideals and their educational institutions. While prior research has focused on historical, educational, and architectural aspects, this study highlights the ritual sacrifice (jehyang) at Seowon as a key embodiment of Neo-Confucian ideology, particularly its ethical and metaphysical dimensions rooted in ritual theory (rigi). The analysis reveals that jehyang serves not only to honor ancestral figures but also to transmit their values to future generations, fostering communal identity and ethical living. In modern societies marked by individualism and social fragmentation, Seowon's rituals hold potential as a means to restore collective solidarity, trust, and civic engagement.

Kim, K. (2026). The Future Value of Seowon as the Embodiment of Neo-Confucian Ideals- Focusing on Ritual Sacrifice. The Journal of Society for Humanities Studies in East Asia, 76, 1–33. https://doi.org/10.52639/jeah.2026.09.76.1