Flagpole Supports at Janguisa Temple Site, Seoul

Flagpole supports (danggan jiju) are erected at the entrance to a Buddhist temple. When a temple held an event or ceremony, a flag called a dang was hung on a tall pole known as a danggan, and the two stone pillars that supported the pole on either side were called danggan jiju. These flagpole supports stand facing each other, east and west, on the former site of Janguisa Temple, where Segeomjeong Elementary School now stands. Janguisa Temple is said to have been founded in 659, the sixth year of King Muyeol of Silla, to pray for the souls of the Silla generals Jangchunnang and Parang, who died in battle against Baekje at Hwangsan (thought to be present-day Nonsan). The two outer corners of the facing pillars have been chamfered to give a slight decorative effect, and the tops of the pillars are cut flat from the inner face outward before being rounded off in a curve. A round hole is bored near the top of the inner face of each pillar to hold the flagpole firmly in place. In most cases, even where a device for holding the flagpole is provided, a separate groove is usually cut into the top of the pillar; it is interesting that these pillars do not follow that convention. Overall they are rather solid and heavy for their height, with a very plain appearance and little added decoration. The exact date of construction is not known, but comparison with the flagpole supports at the Mangdeoksa Temple site suggests that they date from the Unified Silla period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Jongno-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물