Hanging Painting of Geumdangsa Temple

This hanging painting, painted in 1692 by monk painters Myeongwon, Cheoheon, Wicheong, and Chiheon, depicts a standing Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, the bodhisattva of great compassion. Such hanging paintings were displayed outdoors on special occasions such as the Buddha's birthday, outdoor rites, and the funerals of eminent monks. In particular, this painting is said to have been used in rituals for rain. In this painting, the bodhisattva is holding a lotus flower in his hands, and his crown is decorated with 14 images of transformed bodhisattvas. A pair of phoenixes are painted on each side of the bodhisattva. The scroll of this painting, measuring 8.7 m in height and 4.74 m in width, was made by connecting thirteen pieces of hemp cloth. The splendid colors and patterns and the dominant and dignified appearance of the bodhisattva show the typical characteristics of Buddhist paintings made in the late Joseon period.

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