From prophecy to rebellion: 묘청 (Myocheong), the monk who dreamed of a new capital.
묘청 (Myocheong) was an influential Buddhist monk and geomancer during the Goryeo Dynasty. Born in Seogyeong (present-day Pyongyang), he became known for his radical proposals to move the capital and challenge the established order. His life and the rebellion he led are recorded in the 『고려사』 (Goryeo-sa, History of Goryeo).
Historical records highlight Myocheong's role in the power struggles of 12th century Goryeo. His push for moving the capital to Seogyeong and adopting a more assertive stance against the Jin dynasty reflects the complex political and ideological conflicts of the time. While his rebellion ultimately failed, it had lasting impacts on Goryeo's political landscape.
The record shows that he deliberately placed oily rice cakes in the Daedong River, causing the floating oil to emit five-colored light - Why? Let’s Find out!
I welcome you to the story of 묘청 - an account of ambition and deception, where a monk's grand vision leads to an elaborate ruse and ultimately, rebellion.
Let the story begin...
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Hugo's Study Room to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.