Stone Lantern in Baegam-ri, Hapcheon

Stone lanterns are placed in Buddhist temples to be used for light offerings to the Buddha. They are typically placed in front of the main worship hall or a pagoda.

This stone lantern is presumed to have been made in the late 8th century during the Unified Silla period (668-935). Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms (Samguk yusa) suggests that a temple called Baegeomsa or Daedongsa was once located in Baegam-ri Village. The lantern was found collapsed in a nearby field and reassembled in its current location. Its original location remains unknown.

The lantern consists of a rectangular platform, a round base engraved with lotus designs, a tall octagonal pillar, an octagonal light chamber with four openings, and an octagonal roof stone. Holes around the light chamber’s openings indicate that stone shutters were once attached. The sides of the light chamber between the openings are engraved with depictions of the Four Guardian Kings. It is said that the Four Guardian Kings, who once were the deities of ancient India, eventually turned to Sakyamuni Buddha and became the guardians of his teachings.

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