“From Silla’s Golden Thrones to El Dorado: Unraveling the Tale of a Princess and the Quest for a Lost City”

Golden Culture of Silla: Secrets Hidden in a Mystical Glow

Silla, one of the most culturally vibrant kingdoms in Korean history, evokes legends and mysteries with its mere mention, particularly through its golden heritage. The golden culture of this ancient kingdom transcends mere symbols of wealth, serving as a crucial conduit for the worldview, artistic expression, and stature of the Silla people.

picture from The Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) of Korea is a government organization

In September 2023, a tomb believed to belong to a princess about 10 years old from the Silla period was excavated in Korea, 1,550 years later. The more astonishing discovery was the artifacts found within the princess’s tomb, including shoes, a crown, and even a saddle, all of which were elaborate and beautiful.

The essence of Silla’s golden culture is most prominently showcased in the elaborate gold crowns found in tomb complexes. These crowns were not mere ornaments but significant symbols of the royal authority and sanctity of the Silla royalty. The intricate antlers, branches, and assorted jewels adorning these crowns served as a bridge between this world and the next, symbolizing the royal family’s ability to communicate with the divine.

Another dazzling example of Silla’s gold craftsmanship can be seen in the golden ornaments unearthed from the Cheonmachong Tomb. These artifacts highlight the sophistication and delicate beauty of Silla’s goldwork while providing insights into the beliefs surrounding life, death, and the afterlife held by the people of that era.

The golden culture of Silla extends beyond physical wealth to represent a complex cultural heritage where power, religion, and art converge. Gold statues and ornaments, influenced by Buddhism, deeply rooted themselves in the spiritual practices and worldview of the Silla people.

In the Silla tombs, five official gold crowns have been excavated, and combined with one gold crown that was confiscated by the state from illegal excavation, a total of six gold crowns exist today. These crowns, crafted by cutting and assembling gold plates, feature a round base with five vertical decorations attached above it, resembling tree branches and deer antlers. The surface of the crowns is adorned with numerous pieces of jade, curved jewels, and round gold plates.

The origin and evolution of Silla’s gold crowns are subjects of debate. Some believe they were introduced by nomadic tribes from Siberia who migrated to Silla, pointing to the similarity between the tree and antler decorations on Silla crowns and those worn by Siberian shamans. However, the vast temporal and geographical gap between the Siberian shamans’ headgear and Silla’s gold crowns poses a challenge to this theory. As a result, many believe that the Silla people adopted the gold culture from the north and creatively incorporated it into their traditional designs.

The five Silla gold crowns, created between the 5th and 6th centuries, span about a century in time. By examining the dates of the tombs where the crowns were found, as well as the design and craftsmanship of the crowns, it’s possible to conjecture the order of their creation: from the gold crown of Hwangnam Daechong’s North Mound to the crowns of Geumgwanchong, Seobongchong, Cheonmachong, and finally, Geumryeongchong.

During the era when the Silla gold crowns were made, not only crowns but also gold earrings, necklaces, rings, gilt-bronze shoes, and ornamental stands were in vogue. Various decorations made of gold, including Buddhist artifacts like statues and reliquaries, were also prevalent.

Today, the golden relics of Silla offer more than just tales of the past; they open a window into the ancient people’s way of life, their beliefs, and values. By visiting museums in Gyeongju or studying these golden artifacts, we honor and respect the remarkable cultural achievements of the Silla people, following in their historical footsteps.

Silla’s golden culture holds a significant place not only in the annals of Korean ancient history but also within the broader narrative of human history. Through this lavish and mystical legacy, we are reminded once again of how human creativity and spiritual pursuit can inspire across the ages.

The people of the Silla period, who crafted and used gold in the most beautiful ways throughout Korean history, leave us wondering: where did all this gold come from? This question remains a mystery without a clear answer.

One can’t help but anticipate a fascinating Korean drama storyline about a Silla princess being reincarnated, given the rich and mysterious history of this golden era.