Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige
A first-ever exhibition reunites Silla's gold crowns after 104 years.
Gold Crown from Geumgwanchong Tomb (0501/0600) by UnknownGyeongju National Museum
Silla Rulers Embrace Gold
In 382 AD, the Silla ruler asserted dominance by sending envoys and adopting the title Maripgan ('highest position'). He emphasized gold to elevate his power and divine image.
Gold Crown from Cheonmachong Tomb (0501/0600) by UnknownGyeongju National Museum
Gold became concentrated among the ruling class during the Maripgan era, symbolizing ultimate power. This period marked the birth of the gold crown, a unique symbol reserved solely for royalty.
Gold Crown from the North Mound of Hwangnamdaechong Tomb by UnknownGyeongju National Museum
The gold upright ornaments on the crown, representing trees, symbolized the king's connection to the heavens and his distinct status. The Silla gold crown represented the Maripgan's power, prestige, and the kingdom's identity.
Silla Gold Crowns by UnknownGyeongju National Museum
The six extant Silla gold crowns, emblems of power, prestige, and metalworking artistry, are now displayed in separate institutions.
The Gyeongju Gyodong Gold Crown
This crown, now at the Gyeongju National Museum, was once stolen from a tomb in Gyodong. Its unique form and added headband once sparked authenticity debates.
A similar gold crown discovered in Busan's Bokcheon-dong tomb suggests this crown represents an earlier style. Likely worn by a child, its bud-shaped upright ornaments and leaf-shaped dangles embody the symbolic meaning of Silla gold crowns.
Currently housed in the Silla History Museum, this gold crown is considered an important artifact showcasing the early Silla's golden culture.
Hwangnam Daechong Tomb's North Mound
Hwangnam Daechong, meaning 'great tomb of Hwangnam-dong,' is Silla's largest tomb, consisting of north and south mounds.
Unearthed from Hwangnam Daechong's north mound, this gold crown is believed to be among the earliest Silla crowns, excluding the Gyodong crown. Most theories suggest the crown's owner was female.
Currently, the crown is a centerpiece in the National Museum of Korea's Silla Gallery. It represents the golden culture of Silla and the power and prestige of its ruling class.
The Gold Crown Tomb
The Gold Crown Tomb gets its name from the first Silla gold crown ever discovered. For years, the tomb's occupant remained a mystery. However, in 2013, the sword exhumed from the tomb revealed the inscription 'King Isaji.'
This offers a key clue to the identity of the tomb's occupant. While the exact identity of King Isaji remains uncertain, the Gold Crown Tomb's owner was undoubtedly a central figure in establishing the Silla dynasty's royal lineage.
Originally displayed at the Gyeongju National Museum, the Geumgwanchong Gold Crown was featured in the <A Hundred Kind of Happiness: A Special Exhibition of Korean Culture> in Dresden, Germany. This global showcase highlights the prestige of Silla's golden culture.
Seobongchong Gold Crown: A Swedish Connection
The Seobongchong Gold Crown's name commemorates Sweden's Prince Gustaf Adolf's participation in the 1926 excavation. 'Seo' comes from the Chinese characters for Sweden ('瑞典'), and 'bong' refers to the crown's phoenix-shaped ornaments.
The Seobongchong Gold Crown has a unique internal structure unseen in other crowns. Inside the headband, thin gold plates are arranged in a cross shape, creating a hat-like form. At the intersection, a tree-branch ornament with three small birds is placed.
The Seobongchong Gold Crown, a highlight at the National Cheongju Museum, exemplifies Silla metalworking. It's celebrated for its intricate craftsmanship and represents the pinnacle of Silla's golden artistry.
The Geumnyeongchong Gold Crown
The name 'Geumnyeongchong' comes from the discovery of glass-decorated golden bells. Fittingly, the crown features golden bells in its initial embellishments.
This tomb belonged to a child, approximately 3 feet tall, as evidenced by the gold crown, anklets, bracelets, and rings found inside. Childhood was dangerous in ancient societies, and even Shilla royalty weren't exempt from disease.
The Geumnyeongchong Gold Crown, discovered with golden bells, highlights Shilla's advanced metalworking and aesthetic sensibilities. It's displayed alongside the bells in the National Museum of Korea's metalcraft gallery, showcasing Shilla's artistic achievements.
The Cheonmachong Gold Crown
The Cheonmachong Gold Crown is the largest and heaviest of the six extant Silla gold crowns. It is distinguished by its elaborate ornamentation, including 58 jade ornaments, setting it apart from the others.
Cheonmachong ('Sky Horse Tomb') derives its name from a painted horse saddle flap discovered during its 1973 excavation.
The Cheonmachong Gold Crown, a masterpiece showcasing Silla royalty's status and metalworking, is now displayed at the Gyeongju National Museum's Silla History Hall.
Gold Crown from Cheonmachong Tomb (0501/0600) by UnknownGyeongju National Museum
For over a thousand years, Silla's six gold crowns have represented power and prestige for kings, queens, and those of high status. The upright ornaments symbolize the king's sacred power.
Gold Crown from Seobongchong Tomb by UnknownGyeongju National Museum
The crown's stag horns signify abundance and fertility, while the bird decorations represent soaring souls and the king's transcendence. Every detail embodies vitality and permanence.
Gold Crown from Geumgwanchong Tomb (0501/0600) by UnknownGyeongju National Museum
These gold crowns symbolized a link between nature, the heavens, and the human world. To the Silla, the king wasn't just a ruler, but a conduit of divine will.
Silla Gold Crowns by UnknownGyeongju National Museum
Now, for the first time, these symbols of "power and prestige" are unveiled together at the Gyeongju National Museum. Don't miss this unique opportunity to witness Silla's golden culture.
Gyeongju National MuseumGyeongju National Museum
After 104 years, the gold crowns are back in Gyeongju! See them in person at the Gyeongju National Museum from October 28th to December 14th. (General public viewing starts Sunday, November 2.)
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