Pair of Chinese Junipers at Cheonjaam Hermitage of Songgwangsa Temple, Suncheon

Basic information

Designation

Natural Monument No.88

Category

동식물

Designated year

1962

Location

순천시, 전라남도— 전남 순천시 송광면 천자암길 105 (이읍리)

Coordinates

34.981317, 127.289981

Chinese junipers grow on Ulleungdo Island and Japan as well as the central part of Korea. They have a strong scent that is used in making incense, and they are planted as garden and park trees. The Chinese junipers in the precinct of Songgwangsa Temple are about 800 years old, standing side by side with the branches twined. They are 12m tall, each having girth of 4.10m and 3.3m. Legend has it that they grew from the walking sticks of two high-ranking Buddhist monks, State Preceptor Bojo and State Preceptor Damdang, who brought them from China and stuck them into the ground here. Damdang was a prince of Goryeo but became a disciple of Bojo. These trees look as if one is bowing down to the other, so they are said to show the relationship between a teacher and his disciple. Many people visit this place because of a legend, i.e., anybody who touches these trees will go to heaven. Since Chinese junipers in the precinct of Songgwangsa Temple have been under our ancestor's care and protection and are also biologically valuable, they are designated and protected as a natural monument.

Location