Taebaeksan Stone Jangseung

These are two stone jangseung (traditional Korean totem poles) standing on both sides of the road leading up to the Taebaek Mountains. Originally located at Mirudunji, 1.2 km to the north, they were moved to Manggyeongsa Temple on Taebaeksan Mountain about 40 years ago, and then restored to their current location in 1987 under the supervision of the Taebaek Cultural Center. During the restoration process, natural stones that were not originally present were placed as base stones for the jangseung, and the base stones were inscribed with 'Cheonjang' (Heavenly General) and 'Jijang' (Earthly General), respectively, indicating that they are 'Cheonhadaejanggun' (Great General Under Heaven) and 'JihayeoJanggun' (Great General Under the Earth). However, their appearance is more gentle and dignified rather than the fierce look of typical jangseung, making them resemble muninseok (scholar stone figures) or Mireuk statues (Maitreya Buddha statues).

Around the Jijang (Earthly General), there is a sotdae (a tall wooden pole with carved birds on top) that was erected together when it was moved to its current location. The sotdae has three carved ducks at the top, a form mainly seen in the Yeongdong region, centered on the coastal areas of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The exact date of creation of the two jangseung is unknown, but they served as guardian statues of the Taebaeksan Mountain god, related to the celestial worship of the sky and the Taebaeksan Cheonjedan (altar for offering sacrifices to heaven). The worn nose of the Jijang indicates that it also served as a village guardian deity.