Flagpole Supports at Jungchosa Temple Site, Anyang

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.4

Category

Architecture

Era

통일신라시대(827)

Designated year

1963

Location

안양시, 경기도— 경기 안양시 만안구 예술공원로103번길 4 (석수동) / (지번)경기 안양시 만안구 석수동 212-1

Coordinates

37.417899, 126.917722

Danggan were flagpoles on which flags (dang) were hoisted at the entrance of a temple to mark special occasions such as Buddhist ceremonies or prayers. The flagpoles were supported by two stone buttresses called dangganjiju. These two flagpole supports stand facing each other about 85 cm apart at the former site of what is presumed to be Jungchosa Temple, in view of the inscription on the outer side of the western flagpole support. Regrettably, the stylobate of the supports no longer exists, and appears to have been replaced by a three-piece stone platform, which may not be the original. The base stone that holds the flagpole between the two supports contains a hole with a diameter of 36 cm. Neither of the flagpole supports is decorated, but the edges of the heads are rounded. Each of the two flagpole supports has three holes (top, middle, and bottom positions) for fixing the flagpole. The upper part of the eastern support was allegedly broken by some masons just after Korea’s liberation (on August 15, 1945). The western support bears a rare type of inscription, consisting of six lines of 123 characters inscribed in the square style of Chinese handwriting, which states that construction of the flagpole supports began on August 6, 826 (the first year of the reign of King Heungdeok of Silla Dynasty) and ended on February 30, 827. These unadorned yet elegant flagpole supports are the only examples for which the exact production date is known.

Location