In Buddhist tradition, a flagpole was used to hoist a huge flag or banner called dang at the entrance to a temple during an important event such as a ceremonial ritual. The site at Nammun-ro, Sangdang-gu in Cheongju, where this iron flagpole stands, was originally occupied by Yongdusa Temple, which was founded in 962 (the 13th year of the reign of King Gwangjong of the Goryeo Dynasty). Sadly, the temple was destroyed as a result of the frequent warfare and political turmoil of the late Goryeo Period. The flagpole, however, has been preserved in its original form complete with its pedestal and flagpole supports. Nowadays, this area is one of the busiest areas in the city.
The two supports feature protruding vertical lines in the middle of the outer face, creating some variation on the otherwise plain surface. Between the two supports, there are twenty cylindrical iron tubes geared into each other and a fastening device like a crossbar at the top of the supports which served to firmly fasten the flagpole. Notably, there is an inscription on the surface of the third iron tub which explains the purpose and process of establishment of this flagpole. According to the inscription, the flagpole originally consisted of thirty iron tubs, and was erected at the time of the temple’s construction in 962. It is considered a precious heritage as its production date has been clearly identified, and it is one of only three remaining flagpole in Korea, along with those at Gapsa Temple in Gongju and Chiljangsa Temple in Anseong.
According to a local legend associated with this flagpole, the people in Cheongju had suffered numerous disasters caused by flooding ever since ancient times. One day, however, a fortune-teller said that the people of Cheongju would be able to avoid disaster if they built a large mast, because the area would assume a ship-like shape. After all, the area actually avoided disaster by building a flagpole like a mast, and Cheongju came to be named Juseong (meaning ‘Ship Town’).