Beopcheonsa Temple Stone Jangseung Guardian Posts

This pair of stone jangseung (guardian posts) stands at the entrance to Beopcheonsa Temple. They mark the boundary of the temple precinct and act as its gatekeepers, protecting the temple and preventing the killing of living creatures and the gathering of firewood within its grounds. The male post is 170cm tall and 48cm wide, and the female post 166cm tall and 41cm wide. Roughly carved from unrefined stone, the two figures have large, bulging eyes and broad, fist-like noses. Their mouths are closed, yet they appear to smile, calling to mind an old man from the countryside. It is said that people wishing for a son would hold a rite before the posts, or grind down the stone of the nose and drink it mixed with clean water. The posts are presumed to have been erected around the time the monk Wonmyeong rebuilt Beopcheonsa Temple, during the reign of King Injo of Joseon (r. 1623–1649).

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Muan, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Provincial Folklore Heritage · 시도민속문화유산