• Koguryo and Balhae
  • Anak Tomb No. 3
Eastern Wall of the Eastern Gallery - Procession – Bell Player
TitleEastern Wall of the Eastern Gallery - Procession – Bell Player
Eastern Wall of the Eastern Gallery - Procession - Jeol
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This is a detailed view of the Jeol (ceremonial flag featuring pompons) depicted on the eastern gallery wall in Anak Tomb No. 3. This three-tier Jeol is the exact same Jeol depicted next to the nobleman in the portrait of the deceased from the western auxiliary chamber. The Jeol was a decorative flag used to indicate high status. Both single and three-tier Jeols appear in Anak Tomb No. 3. The single-tier variant can be seen in the honor guard procession on the eastern section of the southern antechamber wall and in the procession on the eastern gallery wall. The three-tier Jeol is very similar in appearance to the Jeongjeol used during Joseon-era royal processions.
This Jeol seen in the portrait of the deceased is often recited as evidence that Anak Tomb No. 3 was in fact a Koguryo-era royal tomb. The argument is that the three-tier Jeol was a decorative flag held only by Koguryo royalty, and thus Anak Tomb No. 3 was naturally a royal tomb. In ancient China, however, Jeols were prestigious gifts awarded by the king or emperor. Hence, Dong-su theorists interpret the three-tier Jeol as a gift received from the King of Koguryo. As the King of Koguryo was only in a position to award Jeols, the entombed figure in Anak Tomb No. 3 could not be the king himself.

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