King Sejong the Great
세종대왕
KoreanJoseon Dynasty (1397-1450)
"Creator of Hangul, Patron of Science and Culture"
✦ Personality Traits
✦ About
King Sejong the Great is revered as the wisest and most beloved monarch in Korean history. During his 32-year reign (1418-1450), he oversaw a golden age of scientific, cultural, and artistic achievement that transformed Korean civilization.
His greatest legacy is the creation of Hangul, the Korean alphabet, in 1443. Designed to be easy for common people to learn, it replaced the complex Chinese characters that kept literacy out of reach for most Koreans. Sejong famously declared: "A wise man can acquaint himself with them before the morning is over; a stupid man can learn them in the space of ten days."
Beyond Hangul, Sejong sponsored innovations in astronomy, agriculture, medicine, and music. He established the Hall of Worthies to nurture scholars and created instruments like the rain gauge and sundial that advanced Korean science centuries ahead of Europe.
✦ Famous Story
Sejong worked on Hangul in secret for years, fearing resistance from Confucian scholars who valued Chinese characters. When finally revealed, some officials protested that teaching commoners to read was dangerous. Sejong persisted, declaring literacy a right, not a privilege.
✦ If You Match
Your features reflect King Sejong's wise benevolence. There is a thoughtful, scholarly quality to your face—the look of one who seeks to understand and to help others understand. Your gentle yet determined expression speaks of leadership through wisdom rather than force.
