Jo Eon-hyeong Tomb Stele, Hapcheon

This stele is unusual in form, first of all. The capstone and the body of the stele are carved from a single block of stone, with support stones set against both sides to give the monument some protection from wind and rain, while also lending it both elegance and authority. The capstone is carved in the shape of two dragons guarding a magic jewel, and the jewel appears relatively large for the size of the capstone; the stone has been hollowed out from the dragons' mouths all the way to the jewel, so that the jewel stands out with particular prominence. This seems to give visual form to the phrase that Nammyeong put forward on cultivating the mind: "Just as a dragon cherishes its magic jewel, one must never forget it in the mind." This stele is therefore not only old in date but also unusual in form compared with other steles of its period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hapcheon, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산