Seonangdang

The seonangdang (Korean: 서낭당), also known as the seonghwangdang (성황당; 城隍堂) are stone cairns or trees that are considered holy and are dedicated to the deity Seonangshin, the patron of villages.

These historians equate seonangdangs with the Sodo, a holy area in the Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea.

[1] The first record of a seonangdang is in the Goryeosa, a history book written about the Goryeo Dynasty in the 15th century.

As one of the best-known deities to the Sangmin, or commoners, the Seonangshin were respected during the subsequent Joseon Dynasty.

After usurping the Goryeo Dynasty with a coup, King Taejo of Joseon held ceremonies in the Seonangdang all throughout the peninsula.