KOREAN TEMPLE ADVENTURES Stop and smell the flowers
A lotus flower at Gamsan Temple in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Dale Quarrington
Korean Buddhist temples are resplendent with stunning colors. Whether it be the interior or exterior of temple shrine halls, gates or gardens, temples are filled with these stunning hues. And if you look close enough, you’ll often find that these colors take the form of flowers like the lotus flower, peonies, roses and hydrangeas.
The most prominent flower that you’ll find at Korean Buddhist temples is the lotus flower, which is known as “yeonggot” in Korean. In Korean Buddhism, the lotus flower can appear almost anywhere including in paintings, latticework, altars, nimbus, mandorla (an almond-shaped object that surrounds the entire body), statues, bells and pedestals.
In general, the lotus is associated with faithfulness, spiritual awakening and purity. It is also known to symbolize purity of speech, body and of the mind. The reason for this is that the lotus flower emerges from the muddy and murky water perfectly clean. This symbolism is manifested in the purity of the enlightened mind rising above the muddy midst of the suffering of Samsara (endless cycle of rebirth).
A Gareungbinga and lotus flowers are seen in art at Hwanseong Temple in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province. Courtesy of Dale Quarrington
The different colors of the flower have different meanings, too. The white lotus symbolizes mental purity and spiritual perfection. The red lotus represents compassion. The blue lotus symbolizes wisdom and intelligence. Also it is typically depicted as being only partially opened. And finally, the gold/yellow lotus represents the completion of enlightenment.
Next to the lotus, arguably the second-most-popular flower you’ll find at a Korean Buddhist temple is the peony, which is known as “moran” in Korean. The peony represents loyalty, prosperity, beauty, good fortune and wealth. While the lotus is symbolic of spiritual growth within Buddhism, the peony is also associated with religious nobility and dignity.
Peonies at Anyang Hermitage in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province / Courtesy of Dale Quarrington
In addition to peonies appearing alone at Korean Buddhist temples, they can also be joined by other flowers like the rose. If a peony and a rose appear together in a Buddhist painting, this is meant to symbolize wealth, honor and a long spring. However, if a peony appears alongside a stone or a peach, this combination is meant to symbolize a wish for a long spring.
As for their appearance, they are typically painted from the side or above. This is meant to display a sense of abundance and fullness. This is emphasized through their overflowing petals.
Peony latticework at Yongdeok Temple in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Dale Quarrington
As for where you’re most likely to find peonies at a Korean Buddhist temple, the most obvious location is in floral latticework, known as “Ggotsalmun” in Korean, that adorn the front of temple shrine halls in Korea. This style of latticework is known as the “Upright Diagonal Floral Grid” in English. This style of latticework is a mixture of floral and geometric designs. There are three potential styles of latticework that adorn the exterior of a temple shrine hall, but this is the most popular kind. Typically, you’ll find lotus flowers, peonies, sunflowers and chrysanthemums that comprise the flowers that appear in these lattices. These flowers can appear in a variety of ways including the abstract. Typically, these flowers are wood and are painted in vibrant colors. They usually have four or six petals with six being the most common design. And the reason for these floral designs, including peonies, adorning the front of temple shrine halls is that they are meant to pay respect and reverence to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas housed inside the perspective shrine halls.
Peony latticework from, from left, Jukjang Temple, Naeso Temple and Daewon Temple in Boseong County, South Jeolla Province / Courtesy of Dale Quarrington
As to the historical context of the peony in Korean society and Buddhism in particular, there is one legend that stands out.
During the Tang Dynasty (618-907) of China, peonies were held in high regard. In fact, they were held in higher regard than lotus flowers, especially with the general public. The reason that peonies were so popular during the Tang Dynasty is that they were associated with prosperity and good luck. That’s why they earned the nickname at this time as the “king of flowers.”
This interpretation of the symbolism found within a peony was similar in Korea to that found in China. In fact, in the “Samguk Yusa,” or “Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms” in English, there’s a story about the peony and Queen Seondeok of Silla (r. 632-647).
Queen Seondeok was the daughter of King Jinpyeong of Silla (r. 579-632). During her reign, she made three remarkable prophecies. The first of these prophecies concerned Emperor Taizong of Tang (r. 626-649). In this prophecy, the emperor sent Queen Seondeok a gift of three handfuls of peony seeds with a painting of the flower in red, white and purple. The queen looked at the painting for a while and said, “The flowers will have no fragrance.”
The peonies were planted in the palace garden, and after they grew, they had no odor from the time they bloomed until they died. Her courtiers asked how she was able to make such a prophecy about the peonies. The queen answered, “In the picture, there were flowers but no butterflies, an indication that peonies have no smell. The Tang emperor teased me about having no husband.”
Butterflies float among the peonies in art at Gwanryong Temple in Changnyeong County, South Gyeongsang Province. Courtesy of Dale Quarrington
What is noteworthy about this story is how Queen Seondeok felt slighted by the absence of butterflies in the painting. Their absence was thought to symbolize the queen and the beautiful, yet scentless, flower. As a response, or at least according to the legend, it’s believed that Queen Seondeok founded Bunhwang Temple, which means “Fragrance of the Emperor Temple” in English, in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province.
Bunhwang Temple is home to the Stone Brick Pagoda of Bunhwangsa Temple. During a renovation on the pagoda, a stone reliquary was discovered inside. And found inside this reliquary were pieces of green glass, beads, scissors and gold and silver needles. It’s believed by some that Queen Seondeok placed these feminine items inside the brick pagoda as a response to the Tang emperor and his peony painting.
The Stone Brick Pagoda of Bunhwang Temple / Courtesy of Dale Quarrington
When visiting Korean Buddhist temples, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds. But if you take the time and look a little closer, you’ll usually find images of flowers appearing throughout the temple grounds. So the next time you’re at a temple, have a closer look and unlock the symbolism found within these floral images.
Dale Quarrington has visited over 500 temples throughout the Korean Peninsula and published four books on Korean Buddhism. He runs the website Dale's Korean Temple Adventures.