뉴스레터

On the Cover: A mural of male and female angels in the Deokheung-ri Mural Tomb

This is the mural of male and female angels painted on the ceiling of the western wall of the antechamber of the mural tomb discovered in Deokheung-ri, South Pyeongyang Province, North Korea. The male angel flying in the upper-left corner of the painting with a flag in his hand is in bare feet and wearing a cap and a Feather Garment (with feather-like hems). Flying behind him is a female angel with one hand holding a bowl of food and the other a flag of the same shape as the one in the male angel's hand. And slightly below her is another female angel carrying a bowl in her hands.

The Deokheung-ri Mural Tomb dates back to the early period of Koguryo, as it has been inferred from the writing found within. The murals in this tomb are largely divided into two types, one on the walls depicting the real world and the other on the ceilings depicting the heavenly world. For example, the ceiling of the western wall features a painting of auspicious animals, and male and female angels flying in the sky with the sun, the moon, the stars, and colorful clouds in the background. This particular painting invokes feelings of fantasy.

The ancient people of Koguryo, busy and tired in the real world, apparently dreamed of the life of angels free from greed and worry, just like we do.