Northeast Asian History Network

Jade Maiden on the ceiling of the antechamber (western wall) 01

This is a detailed view of the Jade Maiden on the ceiling of the antechamber (western wall) in Tokhung-ri Tomb. The Jade Maiden inhabits the immortal world and serves the high-status immortals such as the Queen Mother of the West or Honorable King of the East.
The Jade Maiden in the image can be seen holding a platter of food in one hand and a banner in the other. This image lets the viewer know that the Jade Maiden is an attendant in the immortal world. The Jade Maiden is holding a banner identical to that of the immortal to the left. The inscription next to the Jade Maiden reads "Jade Maiden Carrying Banner." The Jade Maiden does not possess any special physical characteristics. She is wearing her hair up with a few long, flowing strands, and her attire consists of a long Jeogori (traditional Korean upper garment) and a skirt, not much different from other maids depicted on the walls. The only difference is that the maids on the wall murals tend to the Provincial Governor and the First Lady while the Jade Maiden tends to immortals.