백제금동대향로 계룡(鷄龍) 장식의 상징성과 역학사상(易學思想)

Abstract

This thesis is about the study to discover metaphysical ideological values from physical products of ancient civilization, and aims at examining the symbolism of the Gyeryong ornament of Baekje Incense Burner and interpreting it through the Theory of Changes. In the academic circles, the main opinion is that the ornament on the top of Baekje Incense Burner represents a phoenix, and some argue that it's Jujak in the connection to the Mural Painting of Four Gods of Goguryeo. However, it's hard to find the origin of a phoenix in the ancient documents of Korea, and it was also difficult to find the record of a harmonious pair of a dragon and a phoenix. Moreover, as Jujak makes a pair with Hyeonmu in the Mural Painting of Four Gods for the sake of bearing, it's unfeasible to argue that the bird in a pair with a dragon is Jujak. I interpreted the ornament on the top of the Baekje Incense Burner as Geumgye as Cheongye in that Baekje's history was unfolded on the background of Gyeryong Mountain in the shape of Geumgyeporan, Biryongseungcheon, or Hoiryonggojo, and in that there are many old stories in the Korean ancient documents about Cheongye or Geumgye. Since the ancient times, Geumgye has been the symbol of the legends of being born from an egg, meant a prosperous age or a good and wise king as an auspicious godly bird, and used as the symbol of amnesty with the meaning of giving mercy from the above to the below. The Geumgye ornament with this symbolism can be seen in harmony with the local characteristics of Gyeoryong Mountain in a pair with the dragon ornament below.