Pyongsan Shin clan

The Pyongsan Shin clan is a Korean noble family, which took its root during the 10th century, at the time of the foundation of the Goryeo Dynasty. At the beginning of the Goryeo period, the country was divided in several kingdoms fighting for supremacy over the peninsula.

The founder of the clan is generally accepted to be General Sin Sung-gyeom, who helped Wang Geon found the kingdom by dethroning the tyrant Gung Ye, alongside Hyeon Gyeong, Hong Yu, and Bok Ji-geom in 918.[1]

As described on an official description plate at his memorial shrine in the province of Gangwon,[2] Sin Sung-gyeom died around 927 in a battle in present-day Daegu, fighting bravely to save Wang Geon (also referred to as King Taejo), while dressed in the King's clothes. After his death, the King bestowed upon Sin's son and Sin's brother the high aristocratic title of Jangjolgong.

According to the legend, the clan name of Pyongsan Shin was given to Sin Sung-gyeom before his death, during a hunting trip with Wang Geon. A skillful archer, Sin successfully hit "the left wing of the third goose among the flying geese".[3] Wang Geon was impressed and bestowed Sin with the land area, Pyongsan, over which the geese had been flying, hence the family line originated there.[4] The area is currently situated in the North Korean province of Hwanghae.

During the Joseon era, the Pyongsan Shin family developed into one of many yangban families. As other yangban of the time, members of the Pyongsan Shin clan successfully passed the gwageo, or the national civil service examinations. There was no hereditary aristocracy in Korea during the Joseon era, as the bureaucracy was filled by tested and certified professionals. Having peaked during the Goryeo era, the Pyongsan Shin clan produced fewer individuals of national prominence during this era.

Lee Ki-baik. A New History of Korea. Harvard University Press, 1984. ISBN 978-0-674-61576-2