Twin Lion Stone Lantern in Front of the Stupa of Buddhist Monk Muhak at Hoeamsa Temple Site, Yangju

It is presumed that the twin stone lantern was erected simultaneously with the stupa of Buddhist Monk Muhak. Usually placed in front of a stupa, stone lanterns symbolize deliverance through the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha. This stone lantern follows the traditional style of Korean lanterns, although the twin lion on the stone lantern atypically serves as the ganjuseok (pillar stone). Several of its features - including the okgaeseok (roof stone) and its components, which imitate the style of a wooden building of that time, the hwasaseok (lamp stone) with only two open sides, and the way the double lion and lotus blossoms are portrayed – are typical of Buddhist sculptures of the early Joseon Period.

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