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Flagpole Supports at Bowonsa Temple Site, Seosan

서산 보원사지 당간지주 ( 瑞山 普願寺址 幢竿支柱 )

Heritage Search Detail
Classification Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Flagpole Supports at Bowonsa Temple Site, Seosan
Quantity 1 pair of flagpole supports
Designated Date 1963.01.21
Age Unified Silla
Address 105/ 992, Yonghyeon-ri, Unsan-myeon, Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do

Danggan were flagpoles on which flags (dang) were hoisted at the entrance of a temple to mark special occasions such as Buddhist ceremonies or prayers. The flagpoles were supported by two stone buttresses called dangganjiju. These flagpole supports are located at a former temple site that is now cultivated land. Occasionally, fragments of roof tiles are still found in this area. The supports were erected 70 cm apart to the east of the temple site. There is no decoration on the inside of the two supports, but the outward-facing surfaces are engraved with wide stripes. The flagpole supports are rounded and narrower at the top, and thicker at the bottom, giving it balance and stability. There are square holes in both the upper and lower parts of each support, which were used to secure a flagpole. The two-tiered base laid between the supports has a round hole at its center in which to fix the flagpole. Judging from the style and carving style of the supports, it is believed that they were made during the Unified Silla Period (676-935). Furthermore, several relics in the area date back to the final years of Unified Silla and the early days of the Goryeo (918-1392) Dynasty.