The twin lion stone lantern from Jungheungsanseong Fortress, Gwangyang () is a Korean Buddhist stone lantern carving originating from the late Unified Silla period. Standing at an approximate height of 2.5 meters, the monument originally illuminated the grounds of an ancient temple within Jungheungsanseong Fortress located in Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang, Jeonnam-Gwangju.National Museum of Korea, Korean Cultural Heritage Research, Vol. 14, pp. 112–115, 2018; Gwangju National Museum, Exhibition Catalogue: Masterpieces of Honam, p. 42, 2020
Designated as National Treasure of South Korea No. 103 on December 20, 1962, the artifact represents a creative departure from the traditional octagonal stone pillars of East Asian lanterns by adopting two sculpted lions as its central supporting shaft. In Buddhist iconography, the lantern's flame signifies the divine light of wisdom that dispels worldly ignorance, while the dual lions act as vigilant guardians protecting the Dharma. Although it was crafted to serve a monastic sanctuary in Gwangyang over a millennium ago, the lantern is now permanently housed and displayed indoors at the Gwangju National Museum.
Characteristics The architectural structure of the lantern rigorously adheres to the classical tripartite division of Silla stone lanterns—base pedestal (daeseok), middle pillar (ganseok), and upper light chamber (hwasaseok) topped with a roof stone (okgaeseok). The octagonal lower base features sculpted downward-facing lotus petals that provide structural stability and represent cosmic purity.
Relocation History The modern trajectory of the lantern is defined by turbulent shifts during the 20th century, characterized by attempted colonial smuggling, state-directed relocations between presidential grounds and palaces, and an ultimate regional repatriation.
During the Japanese colonial period in 1931, Japanese antiquities dealers attempted to illegally disassemble and smuggle the lantern to Daegu, but the attempt was foiled by local residents. Following its confiscation, the Governor-General of Chōsen seized ownership and transferred the monument to the grounds of Gyeongbokgung palace in Seoul in 1932 to restrict local access. After the liberation of the Korean peninsula in 1945, the monument was moved to Gyeongmude (the presidential residence later renamed Cheong Wa Dae, the Blue House) under the President Syngman Rhee. Following the 1961 military coup, the artifact was transferred from the presidential grounds to Deoksugung Palace. In 1972, with the completion of the new building complex of National Museum of Korea inside Gyeongbokgung, the lantern was moved back to the primary royal palace, and was subsequently relocated to the outdoor courtyard of the Former Japanese General Government Building when the museum re-opened there in 1986. In August 1990, as part of a national initiative to return cultural artifacts to their geographic regions of origin, the central government permanently relocated National Treasure No. 103 to the Gwangju National Museum, where it remains on public display today. The citizens of Gwangyang have pushed the repatriation movement of the stone lantern back to the original place.
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See also Northern and Southern States period Unified Silla
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