The Four Guardians

These are the “Four Guardians”: the four awesome protectors of the temple. They are found at many (perhaps all?) Korean Buddhist temples. We saw them at Chiakson, and then again here at Sorakson. They are apparently of Hindu origin. The guardian of the north, Tamun Ch'onwang, holds a pagoda, which in this context symbolizes death. Chonjang Ch'onwang (the one with the sword) is the guardian of the southern quarter. Chikuk Ch'onwang guards the east. The strings his lute control wind, thunder, hail and other weather phenomena. The guardian of the west, Kwangmok Ch'onwang, holds a dragon in one hand and a jewel (or fire?) in the other.