Yeongam Sojeonmeorihwangjangseung

This jangseung stands beside a bamboo grove at Sojeonmeori, about 400–500m to the right of Donggurim-ri in the direction of Dogapsa Temple. A jangseung is usually a post of wood or stone with a human face carved or painted onto its upper part, but this one takes the form of a stone stele. It is 105–120cm high, 68cm wide and 22–26cm thick, with the three characters 'Hwangjangsaeng' (皇長生) carved in the centre of the front face; a corner of the back is slightly broken. The character hwang (皇) in 'Hwangjangsaeng' is said to be a particularly exalted character, attached in the Unified Silla and Goryeo periods to jangsaeng markers erected by royal command. It is said that rites were devoutly performed here every year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Since the term jangsaeng was chiefly used in Unified Silla and the early Goryeo period, this jangseung is presumed to have been erected long before the Joseon dynasty. As its date of production can thus be placed as far back as Unified Silla or Goryeo, it is also valuable material for research into the history of Korea's jangseung guardian posts.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yeongam, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Folklore Heritage · 시도민속문화유산