'Tree of Life' and Deer Antlers: Northern Traces Hidden in Silla Gold Crowns

A special exhibition at the National Gyeongju Museum, 'Silla Gold Crowns: Power and Prestige,' showcases six Silla gold crowns, highlighting their unique artistry and cultural significance. These crowns, while influenced by earlier examples found along the Silk Road, represent a distinct Silla achievement in size and decorative splendor, reflecting the ancient Koreans' spiritual world and offering clues to Silla culture's origins.

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Silla gold crowns, while influenced by earlier crowns found on the Silk Road, implemented Silla's unique achievements and artistic sensibilities that surpassed them in size and ornate decoration.

The typical Silla crown features three 'mountain' or 'tree' shaped branches and two deer antlers atop a headband. The 'mountain' or 'tree' motif is interpreted as symbolizing the 'Cosmic Tree' or 'Tree of Life,' a central concept in Siberian shamanism. The deer antler decorations connect to the culture of northern nomadic peoples who revered deer as spiritual intermediaries guiding souls between the living and the dead. The presence of three birds perched on the branches of the crown from Seobongchong tomb, and similar motifs found on Siberian, Altai, and Mongolian artifacts, further link these crowns to shamanistic practices.

Small gold plaques, known as 'dalg'ae' (or bells), and curved jade ornaments ('gok-ok') adorn the crowns, enhancing their brilliance. The numerous hanging plaques, which reflect light and produce sound when moved, echo the practice of Siberian shamans adorning their clothing with bronze mirrors and bells. This suggests a strong connection between Silla crowns and the shamanistic beliefs of northern nomadic peoples, with remnants of this tradition possibly surviving in the bells used by modern shamans.

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The 'mountain' (山) shaped branch decorations symbolize the 'Cosmic Tree' or 'Tree of Life,' a core concept in Siberian shamanism.

Interestingly, gold crowns have been found in the tombs of queens (like Hwangnamdaechong's North Tomb) and are believed to have been worn by women, as suggested by the Seobongchong tomb. The small size of the crown from Geumryongchong, despite other burial artifacts indicating a ruler, suggests it might belong to a prince. The inscription 'Isaji Wang' on a sword from Geumgwanchong, coupled with the absence of a king by that name, points to a high-ranking individual rather than a monarch. This evidence suggests Silla gold crowns may have served as religious symbols for the elite rather than solely as royal regalia.

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The deer antler decorations are connected to the culture of northern nomadic peoples who revered deer as spiritual intermediaries that guide souls between the living and the dead.

Scholarly consensus leans towards Silla gold crowns being funerary items rather than practical headwear, given their delicate construction. The crown from Seobongchong was found inverted, covering the face of the deceased, indicating its use as a mask or decoration during burial. The striking similarity of Silla crowns to those found at Tillya Tepe in Afghanistan, dating to the Kushan Kingdom around the 1st century, particularly in the use of gold wire for decorative elements, points to significant cultural exchange along the Silk Road. However, Silla crowns surpass their Silk Road counterparts in scale and ornamentation, showcasing a unique artistic synthesis that reflects the influence of northern nomadic civilizations on ancient Korean spirituality prior to Buddhism's widespread adoption.

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The numerous hanging gold plaques... produce a tinkling sound when moved by the wind, similar to how Siberian shamans adorned their clothing with numerous bronze mirrors or bells to make sounds.