Chiljangsa Temple Flagpole

Chiljangsa Temple in Anseong is said to have been founded during the Silla period, though no specific evidence confirms this. It took full shape as a temple complex during the Goryeo period, and flourished greatly when the monk Jeonghyeon (972–1054), who was appointed National Preceptor, resided there. The flagpole (danggan) of Chiljangsa Temple now stands at the entrance, beside a stele recording the temple's history. The base consists of several stone slabs laid down, on top of which three flat, board-shaped stones were placed running east–west; the central stone doubles as a support platform (gandae) bearing the flagpole. The two flagpole support posts (danggan jiju), square in section, stand facing each other on the east and west sides, each face evenly dressed. No small holes for fixing pins were made on the inner faces of the posts; such holes were provided only at the top, to take a pin that holds the flagpole in place. The flagpole now standing tall in the centre is made up of fifteen linked iron cylinder sections, though it is said originally to have had thirty. It narrows towards the top, and small numerals are cast in relief on each cylinder, showing that it was precisely designed and made from the outset. Iron bands were fitted around the joints between cylinders, a joining method identical to that seen on other surviving iron flagpoles. Judging from the craftsmanship of the support posts and their detailed style, the Chiljangsa Temple flagpole was first erected in the early Goryeo period and has survived to the present after several rounds of repair. With both the two-post support structure and the iron flagpole itself surviving together, it is a valuable resource for reconstructing the original form of such flagpoles.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Anseong, Gyeonggi

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산