Korean Crowns ------------------------- The Crown of Baekje refers to artifacts excavated that are believed to be the royal headgear of the Baekje Kingdom. Some of the crowns follow the same tradition as Silla crowns in that they share the tree-motif and the hints of shamanistic traditions. However, the diadems of the kings and queens suggest that Baekje people had a distinct tradition for their royal headgear. The crowns of Silla were made in the Korean kingdom of Silla approximately in the 5th-7th centuries of the Common Era. These crowns were excavated in Gyeongju, the former capital of Silla. They were probably used only for formal and ceremonial occasions. The Silla crowns are some of the most spectacular treasures uncovered in the tumuli of Gyeongju, South Korea, the capital of Silla and Unified Silla. The best of the crowns are made of pure gold. However, other crowns have been discovered made from gilt-bronze or gold-plated bronze. Some of the finest crowns have been excavated from the 5th century Gold Crown Tomb, and the 6th century Gold Bell Tomb, and Heavenly Horse Tomb. The styling of the outer part of the crowns suggests a Korean connection with the Scytho-Siberians (Saka) and the people of the Eurasian steppe. The tree motif of the crown is commonly believed to represent the idea of the world tree which was an important tenet of Siberian shamanism. However, some believe that the trident-like protrusions symbolize mountains or even birds. Additionally, the antler-like prongs also indicate a strong connection to Korean Shamanism or the importance of the reindeer. The delicate nature of the gold crowns comes from the fact they were made from cutting thin sheet gold. The use of gogok, or comma-shaped curved jewels also point to a Siberian influence and the importance of the bear cult. These comma-shaped jewels of jade and glass may have symbolized the fruits and the bounty of trees. The crowns come in two major parts. The inner part is a golden cap, which may have been covered in silk. This cap would sit within the band of the outer crown. There is a third part of the crown, namely the chains of gold with attached jade that may have been attached to the outer band. However, there is controversy over how the crown was supposed to be worn. Some believe that the three parts were supposed to be worn together in one crown. However, the fact that the three parts of the crown have been found in three distinct areas of certain tombs suggests that the three objects are three different types of crowns for different occasions. The crowns of the Gaya Confederacy share the general traditions of Korean crowns, such as the use of diadems, which follows the tradition of the Baekje and the use of headbands with uprights, most notably used in the crowns of Silla. However, the Gaya crowns are distinctive from the traditions of the Silla and Baekje and shows that the Gaya people enjoyed an independent culture. A crown ornament bearing a resemblance to a Koguryo crown has been unearthed at a royal tomb of the Balhae Kingdom in Helong, Jilin Province in China, while an epitaph states that the buried individual is an empress. The tomb appears to have been created between the late 8th and early 9th century, the peak of the Balhae Kingdom, and is located in the same area where the tomb of Princess Jung-hyo was found in 1980. The Chinese discovered the tombs between 2004 and 2005 as they prepared to register the grounds as a UNESCO World Heritage site, but this is the first time the results have been revealed. Prof. Song Ki-ho of Seoul National University, who recently checked the report, said Tuesday, "The fact that the title 'empress' is used on the epitaph is evidence that Balhae was an empire rather than a regional province of China, while observations of the tomb's pattern and relics clearly show Balhae was a successor to the Koguryo Kingdom." Prof. Lee Han-sang of Daejeon University said, "The gold ornament depicting a three-stranded bird's wing is a valuable piece of evidence demonstrating how Koguryo's traditional crowns were passed on to Balhae." The ritual crown (Yanggwan) from the 19th Century was worn by Joseon kings on important occasions. The design at the front represents two flying phoenixes. A peony is in between them at the bottom of the crown. The purple crown was for prince Uihwa to wear during ceremonies or formal occasions. For more information, you can visit: - http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/11/23/2007112361017.html - http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/08/27/2009082700883.html - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silla_Crown - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_of_Gaya - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_of_Baekje - http://www.koreansentry.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t;=6312 - http://koreanhistoricaldramas.com/resources/three-legged-crow-of-goguryeo/ - http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=1621346 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWVj8qGdlr4

• published: 16 Aug 2015
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