Bronze Dragon Recovered from Gyeonghoeru Pavilion Pond

This metallic dragon was discovered from the bottom of the pond in front of Hahyangjeong Gazebo located in the north of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, while dredging the pond in November 1997. Gyeonghoeru at Gyeongbokgung Palace is a pavilion built high on a square pond to the west of the living quarters and served as a venue for banquets held by the king and court servants for foreign envoys. The pavilion was rebuilt when Gyeongbokgung Palace, which had been destroyed during the Japanese invasion of Joseon in 1592, was being reconstructed in 1867, the 4th year of Emperor Gojong’s reign. According to The Complete Plan of Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, which describes how the structure was constructed, the pavilion was built to control fire in accordance with the principles of the Book of Changes, and during the construction two copper dragons were placed in the pond as a symbol of the prevention of fire. This dragon is assumed to be one of the two.