Home > The Sangyeongpyo and mountain range > What is the Sangyeongpyo?


 Now, let's first look into the meaning of names, Junggan and Jungmack(venousness). 1 Daegan is the Baekdudaegan, 1 Junggan is the JangbaekJunggan, and 13 Jungmack are Naknam Jungmack, Cheongbuk Jungmack, Cheongnam Jungmack, Haeseo Jungmack, Imjinbukyaeseong Jungmack, Hanbuk Jungmack, Hannamgeumbuk Jungmack, Hannam Jungmack, Geumbuk Jungmack, Nakdong Jungmack, Geumnamhonam Jungmack, Geumnam Jungmack, and Honnam Jungmack.

 Junggan and Jungmack refer to the secondary mountain range that stemmed off from the Baekdudaegan, and they are the mountain ranges that divide large rivers even when they are smaller and less powerful than Baekdudaegan. The water system or river valleys of Duman River, Aprok River, Cheongcheon River, Daedong River, Yaeseong River, Imjin River, Han River, Geumgang, Yeongsan River, Seomjin River, Nakdong River and others are determined by these mountain ranges. The "Mountain Longitude Chart"'s principle for classifying 15 mountain ranges including the Baekdudaegan is 'mountain divides water and water cannot climb over mountain'. This seemly basic common sense is in fact the principle and guideline that enables one to understand and explain the Korean view of mountains and streams. The principle of classifying and naming mountain ranges followed this principle. Mountain ranges that are located at the Northern part of the Han River is HanbukJungmack, and the one located in the South is the HannamJungmack. Daegan, Junggan and Jungmack used when referring to Bunsuryeong or Yuyeokreung is the narrow definition of Daegan, Junggan and Jungmack that signify each main line alone. At this time, Baekdudaegan is used as a concept that excludes Junggan and Jungmack and numerous branches that are included in the main stream and that stem off from it. Junggan and Jungmack is alos the concept that excludes the branches of mountainous districts that are attached to it. The following are the 15 mountain ranges identified through this narrow meaning.

 <Diagram 2> Mountain Longitude diagram that leverages modern map(Wu Hyung Lee)
 <Diagram 3> Mountain Longitude diagram that uses Baekjido (Jin Sang Hyun)
 <Diagram 4> Daegan, Junggan and Jungmack used as metaphor of tree (monthly magazine <Mountain> 1994. 3.)

 1. Baekdudaegan : Starting from the Mt. Baekdu. the mountain range reaches Mt. Won in Gilju after passing by the Heohang Summit of Mt. Mu and Mt. Bodahui in Gapsan going South. Here, it separates JangbaekJunggan Ridge by leveraging the Mt. Jangbaek in the east. After reaching the Mt. Nangrim in Yeongwon after passing by the Hwangto Summit in Gapsan, Fuchi Summit in Bukcheong, and Hwangcho Summit in the northern section of Hamheung, it spreads out the mountain ranges, ChungbukJungmack and ChungnamJungmack, in the west. After passing by the Mt. Sanggeom in Jeongpyeong, it flows southwest until it reaches the Mt. Cheolong in Yeongheung. Then, it changes its direction to the southeast to pass by the Mt. Ogang in Yangdeok and eventually lets go at the HaeseoJungmack Mountain Range located towards the west after reaching Mt. Duryu in Muncheon After passing over Masik Summit in Deokwon and Mt. Baekhak in Anbyeon, it reaches the Bunsu Summit in Pyeonggang. Here, it enables the HanbukJungmack Mountain Range to flow towards the south. Going north, it passes by the Cheol Summit located at the southern part of Anbyeon, followed by Onjeong Summit in Goseong and reaches the Mt. Keumgang. Heading south, it passes by the Jinbu Summit of Ganseong, Misi Summit of Injae, Mt. Sorak in Yang Yang, Mt. Odae and Daegwanryeong in Gangreung, and Baekbok Summit and Mt. Duta in Samcheok to reach Mt. Taebaek, and flows down the NamdongJungmack Mountain Range towards the south from the northern section. As for the southwest, it passes by the Mt. Sobaek in Punggi and lets go of HannamgeumbukJungmack Mountain Range towards the west after arriving at the Juk Summit of Sunheun, Jo Summit of Mungyeong, Mt. Sokri in Boeun. Going south, it passes the Chupung Summit of Hwanggan, Peak Samdo of Jirae, Mt. Deokyu of Muju, and Yukship Summit of Jangsu to reach the Mt. Jangan. From here, it enables the GeumnamhonamJungmack Mountain Range to start off towards the west. Its long journey ends with its arrival at the Mt. Jiri after passing by the Mt. Baekun in Anui and Yeonwonchi of Unbong. The remaining energy is utilized to flow down the NaknamJungmack Mountain Range (Junggan) after passing by the Chui Summit. This is the main mountain range that splits the water on both sides and enables other mountain ranges to flow down without getting disconncected by the water stream, not even once.

 2. JangbaekJunggan : Starts out from the Wonsan of Baekdudaegan and passes by the Mt. Jangbaek to extend towards the northeastern direction. It then passes by the Hambuk Gyeongseong's Gyeomunryeong, Buryeong's Jeongtamryeong, Huiryeong's Mt. Eommyeong, Jongseong's Nokahyeon, and Gyeongheung's Mt. Baekan to stop at the Mt. Seorasugok, located at the southern river mouth of Duman River. The water of this mountain range that traverses Hamgyeongbukdo from Southwestern to Northeastern parts, that is on the northwestern part flows into the Duman River and the water on the Southeastern part flows into the eastern sea.

 3. NaknamJungmack : It starts from the Mt. Jiri, which is the end of Baekdudaegan, and passes through Chiryeong to flow towards the southeastern direction. During this journey, it arrives at the Gyeongam Gonyang's Mt. Sogok, Sacheon's Mt. Paleum and Goseong's Mt. Muryang. Then, it passes by Jinhae's Mt. Yeohang, and Changwon's Mt. Cheongryong and Mt. Bolmo, going towards the northeastern direction, to arrive at the Gimhae's Mt. Bun. This is the mountain range that surrounds the southern part of the Nakdong River. Its water on the west flows into the Seomjin River whereas water oin the sourthern part flows into the southern sea. On the "Mountain Longitude Chart", it is denominated as the Naknam Junggan.

 4. CheongbukJungmack : Starts from Baekdudaegan's Mt. Nangrim and passes through the Mt. Taebaek to extend southward to pass by Jeokyuryeong and Guhyeon, located in the southern part of the Pyeongbuk Ganggae, Unsan's Weoleunryeong, Sakju's Onjeongryeon and Mt. Cheonma, Cheolsan's Mt. Baekun, and Yongcheon's Mt. Yonggol to reach Mt. Migot, located at the southern part of the Sineuju. This mountain range is located at the northern part of the Cheongcheon River and at the southern part of the Aprok River. Cheonrijangseong, built during the reign of King Deokjong (1032¢¦1034) of the Koryeo Dynasty, optimized the use of CheongbukJungmack's natural topography.

 5. CheongnamJungmack : Starting from Baekdudaegan's Mt. Nangrim, it passes by Yeongwon's Mt. Jimak, flowing towards the south until it reaches Pyeongbuk Heecheon's Mt. Myohyang. Then, it continues to flow southward, passing Pyeongnam Deokcheon's Mt. Jangan, Gaecheon's Mt. Baekun, Anju's Mt. Madu, Sukcheon's Mt. Hambak, Jasan's Mt. Hwangryong, Sunan's Mt. Jamo and Mt. Beopheung, Yeongyu's Mt. Midu, Jeungsan's Mt. Gukryeong, Hamjong's Mt. Hodu, and Yonggang's Mt. Bonggok and Mt. Oseok to extend up to Samhwa's Mt. Jeungak. This mountain is located at the southern part of the Cheongcheon River and northern part of the Daedong River.

 6. HaeseoJungmack : It begins from Baekdudaegan's Mt. Duryu to flow towards the southwestern direction up to Gangweondo Icheon's Mt. Gaeryeon (although there is no denomination for this district on the"Mountain Longitude Chart", it is included in the HaeseoJungmack, considering the continuity of mountain range). Here, it continues its journey towards north, passing by Hwanghaedo Goksan's Mt. Deokup and Mt. Jeunggyeok. Then, its flows towards the west, passing by Suan's Mt. Eonjin and Mt. Cheonja, and going towards the south, passing by Seoheung's Mt. Obong and Mt. Hwangryong, and Pyeongsan's Mt. Myeolak and Mt. Seolbul. Then, it moves westward, passing by Haeju's Mt. Changgeum and Mt. Buksung, Sincheon's Mt. Cheonbong, Songhwa's Mt. Dalma, and Jangyeon's Mt. Bulta to extend up to Jangsangot. This mountain range is located at the south of Daedong River and north of Yaeseong River.

 7. ImjinbukyaeseongnamJungmack : Starts off at the HaeseoJungmack's Mt. Gaeryeon and flows towards the south until it is spun off the Hwanghaedo Shingyae's Mt. Gidal. Then, it flows towards the southwestern direction, passing by Mt. Hwagyae, Mt. Hakbong, Geumcheon's Mt. Suryong and Mt. Seonggyeo, Gyeonggido Gaeseong's Mt. Cheonma and Mt. Songak to arrive at the Pungdeok's Mt. Baekryong. As can be witnessed by its name, Imjin River is located at the north and Yaeseong River is located at the south of this mountain range.

 8. HanbukJungmack : Splits from Baekdudaegan's Bunsuryeong to Gwangweondo Pyeonggang's Mt. Baekbing and passes by Gimhwa's Mt. Oshin, Mt. Buljeong, Mt. Daeseong, Gyeonggido Pocheon's Mt. Unak, Yangju's Mt. Heungbok, Mt. Dobong, Mt. Samgak (mountain in North Korea), and Mt. Nogo and arrives at Gyoha's Mt. Jangmyeong after passing through Goyang's Mt. Gyeondal. This mountain range is one that flows at the northern part of the Han River and southern part of the Imjin River.

 9. NakdongJungmack : This mountain range frees itself from Baekdudaegan, which extends to the Mt. Sobaek by going southwest from the Mt. Taebaek, by going north towards the Mt. Taebaek, and pases by Gyeongbuk Uljin's Mt. Baekbyeong, Pyeonghae's Mt. Baekam, Yeongdeok's Mt. Yongdu and Cheongsong's Mt. Jubang (Mt. Juwang). Then, it continues to flow only towards the southern part to pass Gyeongju's Mt. Danseok, Cheongdo's Mt. Unmun, Eonyang's Mt. Gaji, Yangsan's Mt. Chiseo, and Dongrae's Mt. Geumjeong to stop at the Mt. Eomgwang. This is the mountain range that is on the east of the Nakdong River and all its water of the east flows into the eastern sea.

 10. HannamgeumbukJungmack : Starts off at the Baekdudaegan's Mt. Sokri to pass Huiyuchi to reach Chungbuk Boeun's Pibanryeong, Cheongju's Mt. Sangryeong, Guisan's Mt. Bogang, Eumseong's Mt. Bohyeon, and Gyeonggido Juksan's Mt. Chilhyeon. Here, this mountain range splits the HannamJungmack towards the north and GeumbukJungmack to the south. Its denomination is a combination of HannamJungmack and GeumbukJungmack, and it is located at the south of Han River and north of Geumgang.

 11. HannamJungmack : It starts off from HannamgeumbukJungmack's Mt. Chilhyeon to pass by Gyeonggido Anseong's Mt. Baekun. Then it pases Yongin's Mt. Bogae and Suwon's Mt. Gwanggyo towards the north to arrive at Anyang's Mt. Suri. It then flows towards northwestern direction to arrive at the Incheon's Mt. Sorae and Mt. Juan, and passes Gimpo's Mt. Bukseong and Mt. Gahyeon, going northwest, and arrives at Tongjin's Mt. Munsu. This mountain range is located south of the Han River. Its water on the west flows into the western sea, and the water on the southern part flows into Jineuicheon and Anseongcheon.

 12. GeumbukJungmack : It starts its journey from Gyeonggido Juksan's Mt. Chilhyeon, going southwest to pass Anseong's Mt. Cheongryong to arrive at Chungnam Jiksan's Mt. Seonggyeo, Cheonan's Charyeong, Onyang's Mt. Gwangdeok, and Cheongyang's Mt. Saja and Mt. Baekweol. Then going north, it passes Boryeong's Mt. Oseo, Deoksan's Mt. Sudeok, and Haemi's Mt. Gaya to reach Seosan's Mt. Seongwang. Going west, it passes Mt. Palbong and arrives at the Taean's Mt. Jiryeong. The mountain range is located north of Geumgang. Its northern water flows into Muhancheon, Sapgyocheon, and Gokgyocheon, and into the western sea.

 13. GeumnamhonamJungmack : Starts off from Baekdudaegan's Mt. Jangan(Mt. Yeongchi) to pass Jeonbuk Namwon's Subunhyeon, and Jangsu's Mt. Palgong to arrive at Jinan's Mt. Maisan. It splits GeumnamJungmack and HonnamJungmack towards Mt. Jujul and Ungchi, respectively. The denomination is combination of GeumnamJungmack and HonnamJungmack, and it is located south of Geumgang and north of Seomjin River.

 14. GeumnamJungmack : It starts off from GeumnamhonamJungmack's Mt. Maisan to journey northwest to pass Mt. Jujul, Chungnam Geumsan's Mt. Byeong and Mt. Daedun, and Gongju's Mt. Gaeryeong to arrive at the Buyeo's Mt. Buso. This mountain range is located south of Geumgang.

 15. HonnamJungmack : Starts off from Jinan's Mt. Maisan to pass by Ungchi. It flows to the southwestern direction towards Taein's Mt. Mukbang, and Jeongeup's Mt. Naejang, to the southeastern direction towards Jangseong's Mt. Baekam, to southern part to reach Damyang's Mt. Geumseong, Gwangju's Mt. Mudeung, Neungju's Mt. Cheonun and Mt. Hwaak, and Jangheung's Mt. Saja. It flows eastward to pass Boseong's Mt. Juweol, and Suncheon's Mt. Jogae to arrive at Gwangyang's Mt. Baekun. It forms a large C-shape to surround Seomjim River (east). Its outer side(west) enables Mangyeong River, Dongjin River, Yeongsan River, and Tamjin River to flow.

 <Chart 1> is a simple chart that depicts the mountain range classification system.

 

<Chart 1> Mountain Longitude Chart's Mountain Range Classification System

 Among the names of mountain range names mentioned on the "Mountain Longitude Chart", two use names of mountains(Baekdudaegan, JangbaekJunggan), two use names of regions (HaeseoJungmack, HonnamJungmack), and the rest use names of rivers. Classification is based on linking with the watercourse, centered on visible topography, and it has the following characteristics.

 First, a definition of territory that consider the Mt. Baek as the starting point of the national territory, and Aprok River and Duman River as national boundaries was established.

 Second, mountain ranges were classified and denominated by ranking into 1 Daegan, 1 Junggan, and 13 Jungmack. There is a copy that marked NaknamJungmack as Naknam Junggan besides the JangbaekJunggan, and there are different views on this issue. There is a camp that considers 2 Junggan as the Jonggi (Jikgaeson) of Korean mountain ranges and the remaining 12 Jungmack as Paji (Jichason). On the other hand, there is a tendency to view it in the same level as the sense of order such as Wang-3Jeongseung-6Panseo. There is other perspective that relates to the tradition of equating the human body with the nature such as Chinese medicine's concept of 12 Jeonggyeong, 15 Nakmaek and Gigyeong 8 Maek. Another claim made is that there is no need to classify the meaning since Junggan and Jungmack have no relation to the motives of adding on a formality, size or name to the mountain ranges.

 Thirdly, water system of river was always considered the basis when the flow of mountain was identified into stream and branch. The flow of mountain range is not disrupted by the water course, and rivers are classified by the mountain range. Mountain range continues from mountain to mountain alone and stops at where it meets the water. Water course gathers the water that flows down from the two streams of a mountain, eventually forming large river and then ocean.

 Next describes set of supplementary explanations needed to ensure correct understanding of the "Mountain Longitude Chart".

 First, not all mountain ranges mentioned on the "Mountain Longitude Chart" extend to the mouth of rivers. In particular, GeumnamJungmack cannot become 'Geumgang southern part Bunsuryeong', both in name and in reality. The question of which district should be perceived as a stream and as a branch can be divided into the perception of upholding the physical aspect of mountain and into the perception of upholding the role of Bunsuryeong. These two perceptions co-exist in the "Mountain Longitude Chart".

 Second, given the influence of mountain range, there is a district that has no name even when it can be classified into Jungmack. The said district which extends from Baekdudaegan's Mt. Duryu to Mt. Gaeryeon should be included in the HaeseoJungmack. Moreover, some people that refer to the district that divides the Namhan River with the Bukhan River after passing by Mt. Odae to Mt. Taegi to reach Yangpyeong's Mt. Mahyeon as HanjungJungmack, Hanganggimaek, and Gaebangjimaek. This district could in fact be referred to as Yangsu Jungmack. Bunsuryeong divides the two watercourses of Namhan River and Bukhan River. The significance lies in the fact that two waters meet at the Yangsuri (Dumulmeori). North Korea denominated the district that extends from Summit Duru of the Mt. Odae to Weonju's Mt. Hwanghak as the Gyaebang Mountain Range.

 Third issue pertains to the last part of the mountain range, that is the last mountain. The denominations in included in the parenthesis of <Chart 1> in small letters are the ones that cannot be considered mountain streams or branches. Gwangryangjin and Anhongjin are the military's camp, Pungdeokchi is the Chiso of Pungdeokbu while Haeongam (Haeongjiheom is a mistake) and Joryongdae (Mt. Joryong is a mistake) are rock islands. Molundae is a crag located at the seashore. These denominations should be considered as the objects that can be seen when looking down from a specific point on the mountain or from a mountain. In case of NakdongJungmack, the district that links the Mt. Eomgwang¢¦Molundae continues to play the role of Bunsuryeong until the end. Thus, it not mistaken to consider Molundae as the end of Jungmack. However, the last mountain of Jungmack is Mt. Eomgwang, and Molundae should be perceived as where the mountain meets the sea. There is a saying (record) that Molundae was an island prior to the Shilla Dynasty.

 Fourth, name of mountain and administration district denominations are all old names, and they were written sometimes in a detailed manner or daringly left out while addressing the flow of mountain.