Photo = Lee Jun Young

Seoul | July 5, 2024

Amid jangma (rainy season), passersby on July 5 go through the open entrance of Sungnyemun (Namdaemun) Gate in Seoul's Jung-gu District. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), this gate was opened wide and Sukjeongmun (Bukdaemun) Gate was closed during jangma to defend against an excess of yin, a negative force. 

This action sought to stop the rain by balancing yin and yang, namely attracting positive energy (yang) from the south and blocking negative energy (yin) from the north. The opposite was done in case of drought.