An exhibition illuminating pregnancy and childbirth culture during the Joseon Dynasty through ancient documents will be held at the National Library of Korea.
The National Library of Korea announced on the 27th that it will hold the exhibition "Ten Months of Care, A Safe Birth" from the 26th through August 6 at the Open Plaza on the first floor of the main building, marking May as Family Month.
The exhibition presents ancient documents related to pregnancy and childbirth from the National Library's collection, including the treasure "Eonhae Taesan Jipyo," the national treasure "Donguibogam," along with "Jejung Sinpyeon," "Hyangyak Jipseongbang," and "Taegyo Singi Janggu Daejeon." Through these works, visitors can explore Joseon-era pregnancy and childbirth culture, including fetal development, physiological changes and taboos for pregnant women, prenatal education, and postpartum care.
"Eonhae Taesan Jipyo" is a specialized obstetrics medical text compiled in 1608 by royal physician Heo Jun by order of King Seonjo, shortly after the Imjin War. Drawing on medical texts such as "Taesan Yorok" compiled during King Sejong's reign, the work was written in Hangul and contains information on pregnancy and childbirth symptoms, prescriptions, and emergency care methods for newborns.
"Taegyo Singi Janggu Daejeon" is Korea's first specialized book on prenatal education, written by Lady Sajudang Yi, the mother of Silhak scholar Yu Hui. The work is notable for viewing prenatal education not as the sole responsibility of the pregnant woman but as a duty to be shared by the entire family. It contains the passage: "Everyone should be careful in their conduct, and the pregnant woman should not be made to hear of matters that are angering, ominous, troubling, or urgent."
"This exhibition will provide an opportunity to reconsider the preciousness of life and the meaning of care in an era of low birth rates," said Hyun Hye-won, head of the Ancient Documents Division at the National Library of Korea. "We hope visitors will discover the wisdom of our ancestors in records of the past and reflect on the meaning of pregnancy, childbirth, and family today."
