Old relics are all the treasures of historical, cultural and aesthetic values without exception. However, there are especially precious relics to us. Some of them are gold ornaments from the Shilla Dynasty and in particular the gold crowns are some of...
Old relics are all the treasures of historical, cultural and aesthetic values without exception. However, there are especially precious relics to us. Some of them are gold ornaments from the Shilla Dynasty and in particular the gold crowns are some of ancient crowns found very rarely throughout the world, so are extremely valuable not only to us but also as the world’s cultural heritages. What is more, the incomparably unique style of Shilla gold crowns is our pride.
The gold crowns are mainly shaped of a branch, which is not so a special motive. However, the form of a branch is transformed in a very peculiar way, producing a unique formative effect. In addition, the surface is decorated with round jades of extraordinary shapes, which are found only in Korea and Japan. Besides, formative elements shaped of an antler and small and round ornament hang down from the front of the gold crown.
The present study purposed to examine what the shape of each formative element on the gold crowns represents and what its symbolic meaning is. Previous studies reported that the form a gold crown represents a tree and an antler, and the round jades hung around the surface are fetuses or the fruits of life. The round ornaments were regarded as leaves or fruits. In addition, the finishing ornament at the end of the branch was considered a valuable bead. The symbolic meaning of a gold crown as an assemblage of these formative elements was understood from the viewpoint of shamanism or the future life after death. Such a formative understanding and interpretation of significance is the major trend of understanding gold crowns.
Some scholars raise an objection to the opinion that the gold crowns shaped after an antler, maintaining that they were modeled after a branch. Whether the shape came from an antler or a branch is a very meaning question related to the genealogy and identity of national culture. The present study regarded the form, which had been considered an antler, as a branch based on formative feelings obtained from examining the relics and suggested a number of grounds for the view. In addition, we reviewed the formative meaning of the wings and round jades hung on the surface of the gold crowns. What is more, we examined the symbolic meanings of major forms of the gold crowns to find significances implied by the crowns.
On the other hand, hats and diadems, which are known to have been used together with a gold crown as a set, were also examined. First, with regard to the formative elements of diadems that have been studied little, their formative meanings were analyzed and their relevancy to gold crowns was studied.
The results of this study are summarized as follows. The following are results related to hats and diadems.
First, the form of hats originated from peoples with nomadic and equestrian culture, and it does not use any particular motive.
Second, the two wings of a diadem express the wings of a bird, and the center represents the spread tail feathers of a bird (fan shape).
Third, hats and diadems were used separately from gold crowns.
The following are results related to gold crowns, the main subject of this study.
First, a gold crown expresses a single motive ‘tree.’
Second, the wings on the surface of the gold crowns are more likely to mean fruits than leaves, and the possibility of being mere ornaments cannot be excluded.
Third, round jades take the simplified form of a dragon.
Fourth, the pearl‐shaped ornaments represent leaves.
Fifth, the symbolic meanings of the gold crown contain shamanistic elements but not any significance related to the future world after death.
Sixth, the symbolic meaning implied in the gold crowns is ‘the ruler’s divine authority, power and nobility.’