Hampyeongyongcheonsa Temple Stone Lantern

This stone lantern stands within Yongcheonsa Temple. It is built around a fire-chamber stone (hwasaseok) that holds the lamp, with a three-part base stacked below and a roof stone set above. The lower base stone is bordered with a lotus-flower design, and at the four corners of its upper surface, which supports the central pillar, turtle shapes are carved in relief. The octagonal central pillar bears an inscription on each face. The upper base stone is likewise octagonal, carved with a lotus-flower design to support the stone above it; its raised lotus-flower carving in turn supports the fire-chamber stone. The fire-chamber stone is square, the common form of the Joseon period, and each face has an unusually attractive rounded, squarish window. Viewed from the side, the roof stone takes the form of a hipped-and-gabled roof spreading out like the Chinese character for "eight" (八), and looks very thick. The base is octagonal, while the fire-chamber stone and roof stone are square. An inscription carved on the central pillar shows that it was erected in 1685, the eleventh year of King Sukjong of Joseon. Rugged yet endearing in its scale and construction, it is regarded as an outstanding example among the square stone lanterns of the Joseon period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hampyeong, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산