Northeast Asian History Network

The Second Stone Prop of the Western Wall (Side - Detailed view of the immortal No. 2)

This is a detailed view of an immortal depicted on the second stone prop of the western wall in the Great Tomb of Gangseo. General characteristics of traditional immortal iconography include the following: ① Reliance on external modes of transportation such as dragons or cranes. ② Riding on clouds. ③ Sprouting wings. ④ Wearing Winged Clothes. ⑤ Long ears. ⑥ Wearing pointed shoes.
The immortal seen wearing red clothes is depicted riding a bird resembling Fenghuang. Elements ① and ④ from the traditional immortal iconography can be clearly identified. The immortal sitting comfortably on the Fenghuang's back is reminiscent of an ascetic (a person pursuing spiritual goals, abstaining from worldly pleasures) with a relaxed mental state. Mountain peaks shrouded in clouds can be seen behind the Fenghuang. The composition is exquisite and conveys a deep spatial sensation despite the inherent limitations of the image. The mural delivers the feeling of viewing a beautiful Daoist landscape painting.
Depictions of fast-moving cloud patterns and lotus & palmettes (decorative element resembling honeysuckle leaves) surround the immortal, displaying a beautiful and transcendent ambiance in the heavens.
This immortal is the only one of seven depicted on the side of the second stone prop wearing red clothes and riding an ethereal animal. The rest of the immortals are seen wearing similar-looking Winged Clothes. Notably, this immortal's upper body is slightly protruding forward, and the overall posture seems to imply staring at a distant location. Perhaps this immortal is a self-portrait of the deceased artist as an expression of his yearning to ride the Fenghuang toward Kunlun Mountains. This is an excellent example of a Koguryo people’s view of the heavens.