Bronze Bell of Haeinsa Temple

This bell, kept inside Daejeokgwangjeon Hall at Haeinsa Temple, is 85 cm high, with a mouth diameter of 58 cm and a thickness of 6 cm. At the top, two vividly rendered, lifelike dragons form the yongnyu, the hanging loop by which the bell is suspended, and lotus flowers are carved on its shoulder. Below this, nine protruding lotus-bud bosses sit within square-shaped bordered panels, with standing bodhisattva figures arranged between the panels. Around the centre of the bell run three thick horizontal bands, with a floral pattern above and a dragon pattern below, so that the whole surface is densely decorated and gives a highly ornate impression. Lower down, two more horizontal bands encircle the bell; above these, the eight trigrams are set at regular intervals, while the area below is left undecorated. Beneath the bordered panels is a raised inscription recording that the bell was made in 1491, the 22nd year of King Seongjong of Joseon. This bell is important material for the study of the development of Joseon-period bells, and it is also of great value as a piece of Buddhist craftsmanship.

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Where it is

Region

Hapcheon, Gyeongnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물