Flagpole Supports in Seooe-ri [1993]This is a photo of the Flagpole Supports taken in 1993, located in Seooe-ri, Buan-eup, Buan-gun.
Lateral view of Flagpole Supports in Seooe-riThis is the Lateral view of the Flagpole Supports in Seooe-ri, Buan-eup, Buan-gun. Both the stone flagpole and its supports still remain.
Frontal view of Flagpole Supports in Seooe-riThis is the front Lateral view of the Flagpole Supports in Seooe-ri, Buan-eup, Buan-gun. The Flagpole Supports were designated as Jeollabuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 59.
Turtle Sculptures on Flagpole Supports in Seooe-riThis photo shows the image of turtles carved on the flagpole supports in Seooe-ri, Buan-eup, Buan-gun. The sculptures of three turtles coming down were engraved in relief.
CategoryCultural Heritage / Tangible Cultural Heritage
Korean서외리 당간지주
Chinese西外里幢竿支柱
Nickname부안 서외리 당간지주|짐대 할머니
FieldReligion / Buddhism
Contents TypeHistoric Site / Historic Site (General)
Current Location298-2, Gyodong 2-gil Buan-eup, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Definition
Flagpole Supports dating back to the late Joseon Period in Seooe-ri, Buan-eup, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Summary
In general, flagpole supports (dangganjiju) stand at the entrance to a temple to support danggan (flagpoles), which are used to hoist flags(dang) during a Buddhist ceremony or event at a temple. Flagpoles are made of iron, wood, or stone, and two stone columns, which support these flagpoles on the both sides, are called dangganjiju (flagpole supports). The Flagpole Supports in Seooe-ri were built to hoist flags during a sacrificial rite, which was held to avert evils and protect the village of Seooe-ri, Buan-eup, Buan-gun. Unlike the original purpose of flagpoles used for a temple’s event, such a custom was established by combining with folk beliefs from the Unified Silla to Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. Villagers are said to have hoisted a flag at this structure when holding a sacrificial rite for deceased ancestors on lunar January 15 (Full Moon Day) or when they feared that something bad might happen in the village. At some point in the past, villagers in Seooe-ri started hoisting a flag at this structure when holding dangsanje (a sacrificial rite held for the village guardian deity) for Jimdae Halmeoni (Grandma).
Background of Construction
The lower part of supports contains engraved Chinese characters to the effect that the structure was set up in 1671 (12th year of King Hyeonjong’s reign). It is said that villagers hoisted the flags up the poles and held a sacrificial rite on lunar January 15 (Full Moon Day) when bad fortune or disaster was expected in the village.
Location
Flagpole Supports in Seooe-ri are located at 298-2 Seooe-ri, Buan-eup, Buan-gun, which is behind the area of 8, Seomun-ro, Buan-eup, Buan-gun in the northern direction and about 170m eastward from Buanhyanggyo Local Confucian School.
Forms
Flagpole Supports in Seooe-ri were set up on the square stone platform, with danggan set up between the two columns. Danggan features a unique shape, with a few pieces of round granite bound with metal strap. At present, it is 745 ㎝ tall, but the top is gone. The top of flagpole supports was rounded and is supported by the solid stone platform. About 3.5 m from the ground, the column displays has tortoises engraved. Two of them appear to go up, with the third appearing to go down. The shape of a dragon is also engraved in relief carving. The shape of a dragon engraved on flagpole supports is a rare case. The Chinese characters engraved on the stone column display the year 1671, supposedly the year when the structure was set up, and the names of people.
Current Status
The two-tiered stone platform of the structure was repaired, with the original one not visible. A stone material, which would have been used as the roof of stone stupa, is placed next to flagpole supports. Flagpole Supports in Seooe-riu were designated as Jeollabuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 59 in September 27, 1974 and are managed by the department of culture and tourism of Buan County Office.
Historical Significance
Flagpole Supports in Seooe-ri are an example of a structure set up in a village as a sign of folk belief associated with Buddhism. This is a unique one on which tortoises and dragons are depicted.
