These are pedestals for rain gauges installed at Changdeokgung Palace, the Palace of Illustrious Virtue in 1782, the 6th year of King Jeongjo’s reign. A rain gauge was a device to measure rainfall, and the one on this pedestal is a replica. Amid severe drought in 1782, King Jeongjo conducted a ritual for rain and installed rain gauges at the garden of the Head Office of Gyujanggak, Royal Library, and soon after, substantial amount of rain came down. Expression of happiness after the rain was inscribed on the four sides of the pedestal.
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