고려 전기 공신당(功臣堂)의 설치와 운영 －벽상공신(壁上功臣) 제도와 관련하여－

Abstract

This paper reviewed the operation of Gongshindang (Meritorious Retainers Shrine) and Byeoksang (Wall-portrait) Gongshin (Meritorious Retainers) system during the early Goryeo Dynasty. ‘Byeoksang’ was an especial and respectful treatment granted only to those vassals who had made a great contribution for the royal family and the national survival. King Taejo established Gongshindang, a shrine for meritorious retainers in the 23rd year of his reign (A.D. 940) and posted portraits of Samhan Gongshin (meritorious retainers around the country) on the wall, and then, implemented Mucha (no discrimination) Convention each year. Here, the Samhan Gongshin figures whose portraits were posted on the wall of Gongshindang were called Samhan Byeoksang Gongshin. Their qualification depended whether being granted a Gongshin name related to the ‘Byeoksang’. As such, those who are found of the title of ‘Byeoksang’ are presumed to be the object of Byeoksang as in ‘Samhan Byeoksang Gongshin’ or ‘Byeoksang Gongshin’. King Hyeonjong reintroduced the Byeoksang Gongshin system of King Taejo era conferring Samhan Hu (‘later’) Byeoksang Gongshin on the meritorious retainers of the War against Georan. King Hyeonjong granted the Gongshin titles of Samhan and Byeoksang which so far had been allowed to meritorious retainers of Taejo’s only to those of his own. And then, the Samhan Hu Gongshin system continued until the end of Goryeo Dynasty. The location of Gongshindang had changed as well after King Hyeonjong. It was moved to Mireuk-sa from Shinheung-sa at the era of King Taejo. Byeoksang Gongshin System of Goryeo has two aspects of Goryeo’s own. Firstly, it was established at a temple, which utilized the attributes of a temple - its public function, its traditional role as the space for ancestral rites and its aspect as an open space. Secondly, they performed a Mucha Convention each year at Gongshindang. This was intending to parade the majesty as King of Jeonryunseonwang (Chakravartin) as well as to visualize the reward for loyalty. The aspects and meaning of Goryeo’s own that were established in the era of King Taejo continued to the era of King Hyeonjong. King Hyeonjong intended to weigh his accomplishments against King Taejo’s by conferring Samhan Hu Byeoksang Gongshin to those meritorious retainers of his when he won a victory at the War against Georan. These endeavors seemed to be successful considering that King Hyeonjong was evaluated as ‘Jungheungjiju’ (King of Revitalization) and ‘Samhanjaejo’ (Re-established Samhan).