Munhwa Ryu
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Korea's Munhwa Ryu clan is one of the great aristocratic houses of Goryeo and Joseon society. "Munhwa," which means 'culture,' is the name of the clan seat, a township in modern-day Hwanghae province, North Korea. The surname "Ryu" (also Yu [유], commonly romanized "Yoo") comes from the character meaning willow tree. Hence, the lineage is also called "willow Ryu" (버들류씨).
In the early tenth century AD the clan's progenitor Ryu Chadal (류차달 [柳車達]) was instrumental in defeating subversive forces and reuniting the kingdom under a new regime, the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392). For his loyalty and service King Taejo rewarded Ryu with estates and the title 'Duke of Great Aid' (대승공 [大丞公]).
The eldest of Lord Ryu's two sons adopted the family name Cha (차 [車]). The adoption was intended to guarantee the continuity of family lineage in the event of an attack to the family. Until recently Korean law barred "intermarriage" between Ryus and Chas as this was considered incestuous. Marriage between any of South Korea's 270,000 present-day Munhwa Ryus is still culturally taboo.
