E2024-G119

Guardian Posts: Guiding the Way, Protecting the Village

Narrative

A guardian post (jangseung) is a sculpture made of wood or stone in the shape of a human figure that is erected at the entrance of a village or along a road in the belief that it will spiritually protect the village. Sometimes it marks the boundary between different areas. Guardian posts are typically created in pairs. Gwangju is home to several guardian posts, some of which are designated as Gwangju Folk Cultural Heritages.

The Stone Guardian Posts from Seowonmun Gate originally stood outside Seowonmun, the east gate of Gwangjueupseong Walled Town, and are presumed to date to the Joseon period (1392-1910). They were discovered in 1967 during a road widening and pavement project and were moved to the grounds of Chonnam National University. The guardian posts appear to be scholars or civil officials, as they are portrayed wearing official robes and caps. They have a gentle facial expression, rather than the sinister expression typical of guardian posts. Each also features an engraved inscription, which together convey the wish that Nuwa, the mother goddess of Chinese mythology, becomes an immortal and protects the eastern side of Gwangjueupseong Walled Town from the overflowing Donggyecheon Stream. Thus, these guardian posts are precious folk resources that were erected to overcome the geographical weakness of the Gwangjueupseong Walled Town area.

There are also guardian posts (beoksu) in Seongchon Village and Imjeong Village as well as a menhir (ipseok), or a kind of standing stone, in Ipseok Village, which all serve a similar purpose.

Story Map

• Folk Spirit: Village Guardians and Community Traditions
  • Sajikdan Altar: Praying to the Spirits of the Land and Grain
  • Village Guardians: Local Trees and Shrines
  • Gwangju’s Farmers’ Music: Community Solidarity for Agricultural Abundance
  • Guardian Posts: Guiding the Way, Protecting the Village
  • The Loop Fight of Gwangju: Competition to Bring the Community Together