Protective dragon effigy at Gapsa Temple. Protective dragon effigy at Gapsa Temple. TOP. Dragon painting at Seokjongsa Temple. BOTTOM. At Chukseosa Temple. Three dragon paintings among the various structures at Seokjongsa Temple. Three paintings at Seokjongsa Temple. The top photo depicts the magical Phoenix, an auspicious symbol of tranquility & harmony. The lower panels depict a stork, a symbol of longevity. Dragon painting at Bongamsa Temple. Carp turning into dragon at Seokjongsa Temple. Based on a Chinese legend (Jp. = Koi-no-Takinobori 鯉の滝登り) about carps who swim up a waterfall against all odds to become dragons. Carp turning into dragon at Seokjongsa Temple. Based on a Chinese legend (Jp. = Koi-no-Takinobori 鯉の滝登り) about carps who swim up a waterfall against all odds to become dragons. Dragon at Bongsamsa Temple. Dragon at Bongsamsa Temple. Dragon at Bongsamsa Temple. Dragon at Bongsamsa Temple. Dragon at Magoksa Temple. Dragon at Magoksa Temple. Dragon tile at Bongamsa Temple, with wish-granting jewel in mouth (or with tide-controlling jewel in mouth). Goblin roof tile (鬼瓦 or 鬼板) at Chukseosa Temple. These tiles serve decorative, functional, and protective roles in preventing weathering and in warding off evil spirits and fire. Dragon memorial stone at Magoksa Temple. Memorial stone atop a turtle at Magoksa Temple. Grave steles, memorial stones, and reliquaries placed atop tortoise effigies can still be found in China, Korea, and Japan, and were reserved for only the highest ranking members of the imperial family or ruling classes. Memorial stone atop a turtle at Magoksa Temple. Grave steles, memorial stones, and reliquaries placed atop tortoise effigies can still be found in China, Korea, and Japan, and were reserved for only the highest ranking members of the imperial family or ruling classes. Memorial stone atop a turtle at Magoksa Temple. The preceding photos of turtle and dragon memorial stones were taken at the Master Dharma Artist Memorial Stele Park at Magoksa. Here is the signboard outside the park. Tiger painting at Seokjongsa Temple. The tiger is one of four spiritual creatures (Sì Shòu 四獸) -- four celestial emblems -- each guarding a direction on the compass in old China. The tiger corresponds to the direction WEST, the season fall, the color white, wind, the element metal, and the virtue righteousness. Painting of Tiger & the Mountain Spirit at Seokjongsa Temple. The Mountain Spirit is one of three spirits worshiped widely in Korea. (1) Mountain Spirit, who governs material wealth and shown with a tiger; (2) Lord of the Big Dipper, who governs human fortune & longevity; and (3) Dokseong, an enlightened hermit who blesses the people. The three also represent (1) Shamanism, (2) Taoism, and (3) Buddhism respectively. Painting of Tiger & the Mountain Spirit at Gapsa Temple. The Mountain Spirit is one of three spirits worshiped widely in Korea. (1) Mountain Spirit, who governs material wealth and shown with a tiger; (2) Lord of the Big Dipper, who governs human fortune & longevity; and (3) Dokseong, an enlightened hermit who blesses the people. The three also represent (1) Shamanism, (2) Taoism, and (3) Buddhism respectively. Fanciful stone tiger at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, Korea. Stone lion effigy at Chang Deok Gung Palace in Seoul, Korea. Stone lion effigies at the Asian Art Museum in Seoul, Korea. Stone lion effigy at Dongguk University. Stone lion at Chukseosa Temple. Stone lion at Chukseosa Temple. Stone lion at Seokjongsa Temple. Stone lion at Seokjongsa Temple. Stone lion at Seokjongsa Temple. Fanciful stone lions at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, Korea. Lion masks from Tibet. Used often in China, Korea, and Japan as decorative architecture elements on roof ridges and as part of the belts and robes of Buddhist deities. Stone monkey at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, Korea. Ceramic Makara, at Asian Art Museum, Seoul. An ancient Vedic sea monster known as Makara 鯨魚 or 摩竭. Commonly positioned on the main ridge of temples & palaces in Korea and thought to protect against fire. Ceramic roof tile of Makara at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, Korea. An ancient Vedic sea monster known as Makara 鯨魚 or 摩竭. Commonly positioned on the main ridge of temples & palaces in Korea and thought to protect against fire. Roof tiles at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, Korea. The protective rooftop effigies come in various configurations, including groups of three, five, six, seven, and eleven, and meant to protect against fire. Roof tiles at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, Korea. The protective rooftop effigies come in various configurations, including groups of three, five, six, seven, and eleven, and meant to protect against fire. Roof tile at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Is this a dragon head or a turtle head? Roof tiles at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, Korea. The protective rooftop effigies come in various configurations, including groups of three, five, six, seven, and eleven, and meant to protect against fire.
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