Five Mountains of Korea

Mountains considered important in Korea

The Five Mountains of Korea (Korean: 오악; Hanja: 五嶽; RR: Oak; MR: Oak) are five renowned mountains in Korean culture.

## Joseon era

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Kumgangsan, Myohyangsan, and Paektusan are under North Korean control, while Samgaksan (renamed Bukhansan) and Jirisan are under South Korean control.[1]

* Center - Samgaksan (삼각산; 三角山)
* North - Paektusan (백두산; 白頭山)
* South - Jirisan (지리산; 智異山)
* East - Mount Kumgang (금강산; 金剛山)
* West - Myohyangsan (묘향산; 妙香山)

## Silla era

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In Silla times, these mountains were considered as guardians of the country, so ceremonial rituals were held by these mountains. All of these mountains are within South Korea.[2]

* Center - Palgongsan (팔공산; 八公山)
* North - Taebaeksan (태백산; 太白山)
* South - Jirisan (지리산; 智異山)
* East - Tohamsan (토함산; 吐含山)
* West - Gyeryongsan (계룡산; 鷄龍山)

## North Korean list

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In North Korea, the following are known as the five famous mountains.[3] Of them, only Jirisan is in South Korea.

* Paektusan (백두산; 白頭山)
* Kumgangsan (금강산; 金剛山)
* Myohyangsan (묘향산; 妙香山)
* Kuwolsan (구월산; 九月山)
* Jirisan (지리산; 智異山)

Occasionally a sixth one, Chilbosan (칠보산; 七寶山) in North Korea, is added to reach a list of six famous mountains.[4]

## Five Peaks of Gyeonggi

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These five mountains are considered as "the representative peaks of Gyeonggi Province". All of them are in South Korea, except Song'aksan which is in North Korean territory.

* Gamaksan (감악산; 紺岳山)
* Gwanaksan (관악산; 冠岳山)
* Hwaaksan (화악산; 華岳山)
* Song'aksan (송악산; 松岳山)
* Unaksan (운악산; 雲岳山)

## See also

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* Sacred Mountains of China, for five sacred mountains revered in Chinese culture
* Baekdu-daegan, the mountain range that stretches down the length of the Korean peninsula

## References

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1. ^ 1 course Gyeongbokgung: Shinsu(sacred animal) Expedition
2. ^ Silla: Korea's Golden Kingdom
3. ^ "Nature on Mt. Kuwol". Korean Central News Agency. 10 November 1997. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
4. ^ Kim Un Jong (2019). "Mt Kuwol" (PDF). Korea Today. No. 2\. p. 46\. ISSN 0454-4072.