Teaching East Asia: Korea Teaching East Asia: Korea | Page 44

10. Heavenly Horse Painting from Cheonma Tumulus,
Gyeongju, 5 -6 century CE. In 1973 when excavations were being conducted, workers found
this painting of a beautiful flying white horse about fifteen inches long in an ancient Silla tomb.
It is believed that the painting reflects the shamanistic belief that the ruler’s spirit is being carried
to heaven on horseback. In ancient Silla the horse’s ashes were placed next to its owner, but
fortunately the saddle flap painting survived.
th
th
The Korea Society’s e-book, Silla Korea and the Silk Road, Golden Age, Golden Threads, is
located on the Korea Society’s website and includes interesting biographies of famous people
during the Silla dynasty. Students could perform research on individuals, such as the following:
Queen Seondok, Kim Yusin (Silla’s greatest general), Wonhyo (Silla’s most famous Buddhist
monk), and Jang Bogo (successful maritime trader, “Emperor of the Yellow Sea,” and head of
Cheonghae Garrison).
A helpful pronunciation guide appears at the end of the book.
44