- Koguryo and Balhae
- Tokhung-ri Tomb
Koguryo and Balhae
| Title | Depiction of Gili | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Depiction of Gili on the ceiling of the antechamber (southern wall)
This is a detailed view of Gili on the ceiling of the antechamber (southern wall) in Tokhung-ri Tomb. Eighteen auspicious animals are depicted on the ceiling of the antechamber in Tokhung-ri Tomb. Bugui, Gili, and Sungsung (orangutan) appear on the southern wall.
Gili (auspiciousness) has the face of a beast, body of a bird, and two horns on his head. At first glance, Gili could be mistaken for Bonghwang due to its long neck and vibrant feathers. However, it has the legs of an animal rather than a bird, suggesting that Gili is a combination of a beast and the Bonghwang. Gili is paired with Bugui, but doesn't appear in any ancient literature. Similar to Bugui, Gili’s symbolism isn't exactly clear, but the interpretation of its Chinese name seems to imply prosperity.