Seowoeri Dangangiju (Flagpole Supports)

About this place

A dangangiju is a pair of stone supports installed at the entrance of a Buddhist temple to hold the dang flagpole (danggan) from which banners and flags were hung during ceremonies and rituals. The elongated pole itself was called the danggan, and the two stone pillars supporting it on either side were called dangangiju. Rarely is the danggan itself preserved; typically only the two stone supports remain. This is a rare case where both the danggan and the dangangiju survive together: square stone bases support the dangangiju, and the danggan between them is an unusual form consisting of several sections of stone connected by iron bands. Though 7.45 meters tall, there are signs of breakage at the top, suggesting it was originally even taller. The outer faces of both dangangiju are rounded at the top. According to local tradition, when misfortune or disaster was anticipated for the village, a flag was hung from this pole and memorial rites were performed. This custom, different from the original ceremonial use of the danggan at Buddhist temples, is thought to have developed through assimilation with folk religious practices during the Unified Silla and Goryeo periods continuing into Joseon. An inscription at the base of the danggan records that it was erected in the 12th year of King Hyeonjong of Joseon (1671).