Phoenix Mural from Daejojeon Hall in Changdeokgung Palace

This mural was attached to the upper wall of the east side of Daejojeon Hall, Hall of Great Creation in Changdeokgung Palace, Palace of Illustrious Virtue.? Due to a major fire in 1917 the hall was reconstructed in 1920, and murals were painted on the eastern and western walls of the main hall. This Mural of Phoenixes was a collaboration between two of the first graduates of the national art institute, 31-year-old O Il-yeong and 17-year-old Lee Yong-woo. The phoenix was a fictional animal symbolizing the virtue of the king, and for many years was often used as a pattern for paintings and various ritual supplies. This painting depicts the motif of the phoenix in the Classic of Mountains and Sea, which is born in the valley facing the sun, does not sit on any tree but the royal foxglove tree, and eats bamboo fruit. In addition to this, peonies symbolizing wealth and honor, lily flowers, and rocks depicted in teal were painted in full color, adding to the lavish atmosphere of the mural.