Gangjin Samunan Stone Statue

This is a stone statue 122 cm in height, standing by the roadside in Myeondong Village. Overall it takes the form of a square stone figure set on a large round base. The round base is made of four joined stone pieces, with a square hollow cut into the centre where the statue is fixed in place. The statue itself uses a natural stone largely as found: only the front and both side faces have been lightly shaped, while the back is left in its natural state. The upper surface of the base is carved with an eight-petalled lotus pattern, and the statue bears thirteen varied figures carved on its front and side faces. These are mostly dokkaebi (Korean goblin) faces, with horns on the head, strongly emphasised features, and a dokkaebi holding a club, images meant to drive away evil spirits. It originally stood on a hill in front of a village called Samunan, and was moved to its present site in 1943; "Samunan" means an area belonging to a temple precinct. The statue's function is thought to be connected with Buddhist elements, and it is also bound up with folk beliefs about dokkaebi, making it an interesting object combining the two traditions.

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Where it is

Region

Gangjin, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료