Abstract
This report attempts to elucidate the structure of place in Korean dwelling houses through the study of various ceremonial rites conected with construction. Firstly we are lead to think of the house god (songju). Then the place where the house god is enshrined, (malu). The close relationship between the house god (songju) and the master of the house is shown with the ridge raising ceremony. This relationship is born from a common identity which only manifests itself as 'house god' and 'house master' through the ceremony. The fact is made clear that 'malu' includes the 'madang' in ancient times by means of a historical study of 'malu'. 'Malu' has come to be differentiated from the ancient meaning of 'malu'. On one hand, madang is the place for communal activity and this place is opened to the outer world. On the other hand, from the meaning of the word 'madang' we can suppose that 'madang' implies the place where we are/exist now and here. At the 'madang' was held the 'rite with a cow' and the dancing rite of trampling the earth. These rites were held as the earth has two contradictory powers. One is creative power, the power to articulate. The other is the power of omnipotent darkness. By trampling the Earth articulation between inner and outer place is established and a sense of community is born.
