본고에서는 조선왕조 역대 임금의 신위를 모신 종묘에서 이들의 제사 때 쓰이는 음악인 종묘제례악(宗廟祭禮樂)의 변천과정과 문화사적 가치 및 의의에 대해 고찰하였다. 첫 번째 장인 2장에서는 종묘 제례악 관련 선행 연구 성과를 음악에 관한 연구, 악현에 관한 연구, 악장에 관한 연구, 사상에 관한 연구, 일무에 관한 연구 등으로 분류하여 대표적인 연구 성과를 중심으로 검토하였다. 2장에서는 상고사회의 제천의식(祭天儀式)부터 일제강점기에 이르기까지의, 문헌사료 및 선행연구 성과의 내용을 중심으로 종묘제례악의 전반적인 역사적 변천과정을 검토 하였다. 3장에서는 종묘제례악이 가진 문화재로서의 가치와 의식 공간 및 문화적 표현형태를 통하여, 문화적 가치 및 의의를 생각해보았다. 종묘 제례악이 중요무형문화재로 지정되고, 세계무형유산으로 지정됨으로써 한국 및 세계적으로 대표적인 문화재로 위치하게 된 것은 음악뿐만 아니라 그 음악을 연주하는ㆍ악현의 편성ㆍ악장ㆍ일무 등에 전반적으로 내제되어 있는 음양오행(陰陽五行)사상 과 삼재사상(三才思想)이라는 뚜렷한 사상을 근거로 이루어낸 종합적인 공연예술이라는 점에서 그 중요성을 인식 할 수 있다 따라서, 종묘제례악은 당대의 이념과 사상을 그대로 반영한 시대적 산물이라는 점과 한국이 보유하고 있는 고유한 민족문화라는 점에서 그 문화사적 가치와 의의가 있다 따라서, 이에 대한 보존과 전승에 대한 노력은 앞으로 끊임없이 이어져야 할 것이며 종묘제례악에 대한 옛 조상들의 보존을 위한 기록과 노력, 전승을 위한 연주전통을 깊이 감사하게 생각해야 할 것이다.
This study examined the historical development and the cultural value and meaning of Jongmyojeryeak, music used in memorial services for the late kings of the Chosun Dynasty at Jongmyo where their ancestral tablets are enshrined. For this, we reviewed previous studies on Jongmyojeryeak, classifying them into the areas of music, instrumentation, movement, idea and dancing, and explored the general process of historical development of Jongmyojeryeak. Next, assuming that sacrificial rituals in ancient society are the origin of Korean sacrificial rites, which are regarded as the root of Jongmyojeryeak, we examined related historical materials and explored literature on ritual procedures and musical characteristics focused on Taemyo in Koryo and Jongmyo in Chosun. In addition, based on the findings, we illuminated the value and meaning of Jongmyojeryeak in cultural history, and analyzed how the theory of three components and the theory of yin?yang and five agents were reflected in Jongmyojeryeak as its basic principles. What is more, this research studied the space where the ritual is performed and the style of cultural expression. This study is composed largely of three chapters. Chapter II, the first part of the main body, reviewed representative previous studies, classifying them into those on music, instrumentation, movement, idea, and dancing. Chapter Ⅲ, assuming that Korean sacrificial rites originated from rituals in ancient societies, explored changes in ritual procedure and music until the period under the rule of Japanese imperialism using historical records and previous research. Through this, we identified the musical characteristics of Jongmyojeryeak. According to results of this study, the music of Botaepyeong and Jeongdaeeop are composed of 11 pieces each. The 11 pieces of music in Botaepyeong are Himun, Gimyeong, Gwiin, Hyeongga, Jipnyeong, Yunghwa, Hyeonmi, Yonggwang, Jeongmyeong, Daeyu, and Yeokseong, and those in Jeongdaeeop are Somu, Dokgyeong, Takjeong, Seonwi, Sinjeong, Bunung, Suneung, Chongsu, Jeongse, Hyeokjeong, and Yeonggwan. During the period from 1464 (Year 10 of King Sejo) to the reign of King Injo, there is no record showing any change in the basic frame of this music except the addition of Junggwangjang after Jeongmyeongjang in Botaepyeong. In the scores in Sejosillok and several old scores afterwards, no change is observed in melody, but some changes in time, words, and the rhythmic mode of janggo’s touch, and various studies are being made through comparison with contemporary Jongmyojeryeak in the academic circle. Chapter Ⅳ considered the expression style of Jongmyojeryeak, and the symbolism and philosophical meanings of dancing, ritual costumes, vessels and foods, and through this, inquired into the cultural value and significance of Jongmyojeryeak. According to the contents of Chapter Ⅳ, the words, instrumentation, and ritual space of the music, dancing and movements of Jongmyojerye are an integrated intangible performance art of music, song and dance performed in the tangible architectural space of Jongmyo where the ancestors of the royal family are enshrined based on ‘propriety’ as the major political idea of Confucian society advocating Neo-Confucianism, ‘filial piety’ as an universal Confucian virtue in the Orient, and Confucian ideologies such as the theory of three components and the theory of yin?yang and five agents. Through these analyses as above, we examined the development, ritual procedure and musical characteristics of Jongmyojeryeak, and attempted to explain the cultural value and meaning of Jongmyojeryeak. Previous studies on Jongmyojeryeak have been made mainly in the musical circle, and few of them were from a cultural viewpoint. Through a number of studies approaching in the musical aspect, we examined the musical evolvement in Jongmyojeryeak and identified ideological elements that base Jongmyojerye. Contemporary Jongmyojeryeak is designated and protected as an important intangible cultural asset in Korea, and represents Korean traditional culture as an integrated intangible performance art of music, song and dance performed in the tangible architectural space of Jongmyo where the ancestors of the royal family are enshrined based on ‘propriety’ as the major political idea of Confucian society advocating Neo?Confucianism, ‘filial piety’ as an universal Confucian virtue in the Orient, and Confucian ideologies such as the theory of three components and the theory of yin?yang and five agents. Accordingly, we should make continuous efforts to preserve and transmit Jongmyojeryeak, and appreciate ancestors’ records, works and performance for preserving and refining Jongmyojeryeak.