Stone Lantern at Seollimwon Temple Site, Yangyang

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.445

Category

Sites & Pagodas

Era

통일신라시대

Designated year

1966

Location

양양군, 강원특별자치도— 강원 양양군 서면 황이리 424번지

Coordinates

37.945257, 128.515993

This stone lantern is located on the western hill inside the former site of Seollimwon Temple, which was established during the Silla Dynasty. When a Buddhist temple bell with inscription dating from the Silla period was discovered at this site, it was discovered that the temple was founded by Monk Suneung, who is also known as the founder of Haeinsa Temple. Although the site is now little more than a plowed field, it is assumed – judging by the remaining relics and the roof tiles and fragments of pottery that are unearthed on a regular basis - that the temple would have been very large. Like other stone lanterns, it consists of a light chamber in the middle, three-tiered supporting stones at the bottom, and a top part composed of roof stone and finial. This particular stone lantern follows the typical style of octagonal stone pagodas of the Silla period, and has a distinctly unusual supporting stone. The bottom tier of the supporting stone is beautifully engraved in relief with a flower design; the pillar-shaped middle tier has the shape of a janggu (traditional Korean drum) and is splendidly adorned. Both ends of the middle tier are decorated with cloud patterns, and the narrow middle area is composed of three bands – a center band engraved with flower patterns, and two other bands carved with lotus flower patterns. The octagonal light chamber has four windows through which light could escape. The lantern has a special feature in that the lower part of each side is engraved with a pattern in a small space. The roof stone has eight clear edges and corners of the eaves with the same flower decoration carved in relief on its edge as that of the lower supporting stone. The outer surface of the roof curves gently, matching nicely with the flower sculpture. Of the upper part of the lantern, only a small finial base engraved with lotus flower patterns remains. Although some parts of the roof stone are missing, the lantern is relatively well preserved. Judging from the general style and carving of the lantern, it is similar to the Stone Lantern at the Gaeseonsa Temple Site, Damyang (Treasure No. 111). It is assumed that this stone lantern was also erected in 886 (the first year of the reign of King Jeonggang of the Unified Silla Dynasty), at the same time as the Stele for Master Honggak at the Seollimwon Temple Site, Yangyang (Treasure No. 446).

Location