창녕 화왕산성 목간과 유물로 본 신라의 제의

초록

Hwangsanseong Fortress in Changnyeong was constructed during the Three Kingdoms period and remained in use through the Unified Silla period and up to the Joseon Dynasty. This study aims to clarify the nature of the rituals practiced at that time through the artifacts excavated from the Yeonji(蓮池) at Hwangsanseong Fortress. Unusual wooden tablets in the form of human figures and phallic shapes were unearthed at the Yeonji site. The inscriptions on these tablets also relate to ritual practices. In particular, tablets inscribed with "Dragon King(龍王)" and "Great Well(大井)" are presumed to have been used in rituals associated with the Dragon King Festival(龍王祭), a sacred water-related ceremony. Consequently, the wooden human figurines are interpreted as sacrificial substitutes for humans. Similar wooden artifacts have also been discovered at Daemosanseong Fortress in Yangju. Meanwhile, iron artifacts such as large swords, bridles, and locks were coated with "red lacquer(朱漆)", which holds ritual significance related to the netherworld. Additionally, Chinese white porcelain bowls, kettles, and tea sets are considered offerings for tea ceremonies. Instruments like drums and bells are associated with "rain-invoking rituals(祈雨祭)", and iron cauldrons are thought to have been used to prepare large quantities of rice for offerings during the Dragon King rites. A tiger skull was also found at the Yeonji site. This is significant as a tangible example of the "Chimhodu(沈虎頭)" ritual from the Joseon Dynasty, where a tiger’s head was submerged in a pond to pray for rain according to Daoist traditions. A "Sangpyeong Tongbo(常平通寶)" coin minted between 1892 and 1894 was excavated alongside, representing the last period of minting before modern coinage. In 1894, the Yeongnam region experienced an unprecedented severe drought, and it is possible that the tiger skull is related to this event.

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