NORTHEAST ASIAN HISTORY FOUNDATION 11/2017
the Cover
The relic with a 15.2-centimeter diameter features the shape of a beast's head. The shape is one of several different shapes including lotuses, clouds, and honeysuckle that the people of Koguryo chose to symbolize their desires when decorating roof-end tiles to be mounted on the edges of roofs. This particular relic molded like a beast's head was uncovered nearby a tomb in Tonggou (通溝) plain at Ji'an of China's Jilin province. The head of a beast seems to have been used early on to decorate handicrafts, roof tiles, or other parts of buildings for the purpose of driving away evil spirits.
The contours of this roof-end tile from the ancient Korean kingdom of Koguryo display an old-fashioned, simple aesthetic quality. The fine overall balance between the wide, glaring eyes, the mole between the eyebrows, stout nose, upward mustache, and the cute teeth visible through the wide-open mouth even bears a touch of humor.
Reference: National Museum of Korea
- Northeast Asia History Network
- Northeast Asia History Library
- DOKDO Research Institute
- DOKDO Museum Seoul
- Education and Training
