[Let’s learn Korean culture] In the past, how did Korean people tell time?

To tell time, the very first device people used was the sun dial. A sun dial is a system that measures time through the movement of the shadow in accordance with the movement of the sun. In Korea, during the Joseon period, in the year 1434 (16th year of the dynasty), the sun dial Angbuilgu was first created by Jang Yeong-sil and others. In this clock, 12 types of animals were engraved in the places that indicate time, each representing a 2-hour interval. Using this device, people could tell time and seasons. However, they could not tell time at night or when it was cloudy. As a result of this, in the year 1434 (16th year of Sejeong), Jang Yeongsil created a water clock, called “Jakyeokru”. The sounds of Jong (bell), Buk (drum) and Jing (gong) reveal the time even though it is night time or a cloudy day. To tell time using Jakyeokru, 12 types of animals come out in the designated order every two hours. With the invention of the sun dial and water clock, people during the Joseon period could organize daily routines at precise times and carry out their routines.