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Mythical Creatures of Korean Palace
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information on Korean stamp
Date of Issue : 2021.06.22
Types : 4
Denomination : 470 won
Design :
Stamp No. : 3518
Printing Process
& Colors
: null
Size of Stamp : 36 × 36
WholeSheet
Composition
: 4 × 4 (220mm × 170mm)
Image Area : 33 × 33
Paper : null
Perforation : 13¼ × 13¼
Printer : POSA
Designer : Ryu,Ji-hyeong
Quantity : 736,000
Detail
Visiting and touring palaces in Korea, you can see many different sculptures of animals placed all around palace grounds. They vary in shape and represent royal authority and dignity, law and justice, and protective guardianship. Korea Post is issuing the commemorative stamp Mythical Creatures of Korean Palace depicting sculptures of mythical creatures juxtaposed against the background of Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the five major palaces of the Joseon dynasty. Built in early Joseon and used as the official royal palace, Gyeongbokgung Palace has various sculptures of mythical animals that visitors enjoy encountering while they tour the palace. Especially, important national events such as coronations, crown prince proclamations and official meetings were hosted in Geunjeongjeon Hall, the main hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace. In front the hall is a wide two-story stairway called `woldae` with as many as 58 animal sculptures along its stairs and handrails. Surrounding the top part of woldae (second story) on all four sides are sculptures of four mythological creatures that represent guardianship for the king known as the `Four Symbols,` also referred to as the `Four Auspicious Beasts.` Appearing in ancient oriental mythology, there is the azure dragon of the East along with the phoenix, kirin and tortoise. The sculpture of the azure dragon shows commitment to guarding the East. Gwanghwamun Gate, the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace, is guarded by a pair of stern looking haechi. Haechi is an imaginary animal with shrewd judgment and prediction, and charges at the wrong person in a dispute with its single horn. Haechi sculptures symbolize law and represent the ruling ideology of the Joseon dynasty to usher in a peaceful and prosperous era. These haechi sculptures were located in Yukjo-geori (Street of Six Ministries) to encourage integrity and honest among public officials. Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, located by a pond northwest of Geunjeongjeon Hall, is a pavilion that hosted banquets for national celebrations and foreign delegations. Here is where you can see the kirin sculpture. Kirin is a mythical creature of Chinese mythology and considered a sacred creature implying the birth of a saint. The stone sculpture of kirin found south of the bridge of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion represents benevolence. At the center of the top part of woldae is the phoenix. The phoenix may seem like a chicken at first, but it is considered an auspicious beast and known by different names, such as the vermilion bird. The phoenix is described as a powerful bird as tall as 6 chi (Chinese foot). The phoenix is one of the four mythical creatures that wards away evil spirits and represents longevity, while guarding the South. All these animal sculptures were made during the restoration of Gyeongbokgung Palace led by Heungseon Daewongun of the late Joseon dynasty in the 1860s. We hope that the commemorative stamp Mythical Creatures of Korean Palace serves as an opportunity for you to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, check out the statues yourself, and feel the grandiosity of the Joseon dynasty`s 500-year history.
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