Rock-carved Seven Buddhas in Cheolcheon-ri, Naju

Basic information

Designation

Treasure No.461

Category

Sculpture

Era

고려시대

Designated year

1968

Location

나주시, 전라남도— 전남 나주시 봉황면 철천리 산124-11번지

Coordinates

34.938272, 126.780651

This is a unique style of Buddha statues carved on an almost square-like, cone-shaped rock. There used to be a statue of a young boy on top of the rock, but it is now gone. A seated Buddha statue is placed on the east side, with another seated image with hands put together on the north side. There are four standing statues whose expression styles are similar to each other on the south side. Moreover, two Buddha statues used to be on the west side, but miners are said to have taken one statue away during the rule of Japanese imperialists. The details of these Buddhist images are almost similar to each other. All of the Buddha statues have high usnisa (protuberance symbolizing supreme wisdom) on top of their heads, and their faces are long. The bodies are long and flat without curves. The stiff postures and simple folds in the clothing are expressed in a formal way. Below the feet is a protruding piece that serves as a pedestal. Although the carving techniques used for expressing the statues are common and formal in Buddha stone statues made during the Goryeo Dynasty, it is regarded as a valuable cultural asset exhibiting its unique appearance and the four-sided Buddhist images.

Location