Hwasan Group Yi Yeon Spirit-path Stele

A sindobi, or spirit-path stele, is erected beside a tomb to record the lifetime achievements of a king or a meritorious subject. The Hwasan Group Yi Yeon Spirit-path Stele honours the life and achievements of Hwasan-gun, Yi Yeon, who served in the Five Military Camps Headquarters under King Yeongjo of Joseon. Popularly known as the "turtle stele", it consists of a stele body set upon a turtle-shaped base with a roof stone on top, a form that well illustrates the carving style of the mid- and late Joseon period. The turtle of the base has a head that is almost dragon-like, gripping a wish-fulfilling jewel in its mouth and thrusting its head far forward. Its two forelegs, each carved with five toes, press firmly down on the stone beneath, giving the whole a strong sense of movement. The finely carved roof stone has four eaves lines that rise in gentle curves. The stele was erected in 1747, the 23rd year of King Yeongjo, by Nakchang-gun, son of Hwasan-gun. The inscription was composed by Song In-myeong, who was serving as Chief State Councillor at the time, and was written out by Seopyeong-gun, a nephew of Hwasan-gun; the title of the stele was written by Nakchang-gun himself. Hwasan-gun's grave presumably once stood nearby, but the surrounding area has since become a residential district, and its exact location can no longer be identified.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산