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Natural Monument

순천 송광사 천자암 쌍향수(곱향나무) ( 順天 松廣寺 天子庵 雙香樹(곱향나무) )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Natural Monument
Name of Cultural Properties

Quantity 111㎡ (Protected area)
Designated Date 1962.12.07
Age
Address 105, Cheonjaam-gil, Songgwang-myeon, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do

Chinese junipers grow on Ulleungdo Island and Japan as well as the central part of Korea. They have a strong scent that is used in making incense, and they are planted as garden and park trees. The Chinese junipers in the precinct of Songgwangsa Temple are about 800 years old, standing side by side with the branches twined. They are 12m tall, each having girth of 4.10m and 3.3m. Legend has it that they grew from the walking sticks of two high-ranking Buddhist monks, State Preceptor Bojo and State Preceptor Damdang, who brought them from China and stuck them into the ground here. Damdang was a prince of Goryeo but became a disciple of Bojo. These trees look as if one is bowing down to the other, so they are said to show the relationship between a teacher and his disciple. Many people visit this place because of a legend, i.e., anybody who touches these trees will go to heaven. Since Chinese junipers in the precinct of Songgwangsa Temple have been under our ancestor's care and protection and are also biologically valuable, they are designated and protected as a natural monument.