Bronze Bell of Sangwonsa Temple

A Buddhist temple bell is used to tell time or hold rituals at Buddhist temples. Its sound is solemn, further promoting the religious mood. it conveys the meaning of propound reflection on evil deeds and finally achieving realization to those who hear its sound, it also signifies the wide spread of Buddha's teachings as the sound rings out through the bell.

The Bronze Bell of Sangwonsa Temple was created in the 24th year (725) of King.seongdeok's reign in Silla. It is the oldest bell with a conformed date in the nation. There is no information about the original Buddhist temple where it was originally placed. According to Yeonggaji, a town chronicle of Andong that covered its local history and culture, the bell was moved to the Sangwonsa Temple by order of Joseon's King Yejong in 1469.

The dragon-shaped ornament at the top of the bell is called Yongnew to which a metal wire is connected to hang the bell. There is Eumtong decorated with lotus dower and vise patterns next to Yongnew. Eumtong is guessed to be a kind of sound conditioning device. It is a unique structure only sound in Korean Buddhist temple bells. The body of the bell is srepped by a wide belt with bead cultural the top and bottom. Inscribed inside the vine patterrns on the belts are Cheonins (who live in Heavon and admire Buddha) playing a variety of musical instruments, Dangjwa, the soot for ringing a bell is decorated with bead and lotus flower patterns. There are images of a flying fairy inscribed in symmetry on the right and left side of Dangjwa. The fairy is on her knees or a cloud and plays an instrument while flying in the sky.

The image is a cheerful depiction that clearly shows the Buddhist sculpture style of the former part of the eighth century.

The Bronze Bell of sangwonsa Temple has some of the unique features of Korean bellls, including its jar-like shape that becomes narrow at the top and bottom of the body, Yongnew decorated with a dragon, and Eumtong. This style offers a foundation for future Buddhist temple bells created by the next generations. In 2008, a new belfry(a tower in which a bell is housed) was built at the current spot and the Bronze Bell inside the glass with its model bell is hanging beside it.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08