Mireuksa Temple Site Stone Lantern Hadaeseok

This is part of a stone lantern pedestal remaining at the site of Mireuksa Temple. Two such pieces survive: one stands between the newly restored stone pagoda to the east and the site of the main hall, and the other stands between the site of the central wooden pagoda and the site of the main hall. A stone lantern is usually centred on a hwasaseok, the stone chamber in which the lamp was lit; below it sit three tiers of pedestal stones, and above it a roof stone and a finial are placed. Of these, only the lowest of the three pedestal stones — the hadaeseok — survives here. The hadaeseok rests on a square base stone; its upper surface is carved around the rim with eight lotus petals, with smaller petals carved between them. The eastern example is almost identical, its petal tips merely curling upward a little more, and on its uppermost surface there is a round socket for fitting the stone above. The lotus-petal design resembles that of the lotus-patterned roof-tile end pieces excavated at this temple site, and since the present location appears to be the original one, the piece is presumed to date from the reign of King Mu of Baekje, around the time Mireuksa Temple was founded. Although only a part survives, it is the oldest stone lantern remaining in Korea and provides important evidence for understanding the earliest style of stone lanterns.

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Where it is

Region

Iksan, Jeonbuk

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료