첨성대 회위정(囬囲井) 가설 (The Mystery of Cheomseongdae Explained: An Interpretation of the Three Hidden Chinese Characters)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 한국고대사학회
· 수록지 정보 : 한국고대사연구 / 54호 / 463 ~ 502페이지
· 저자명 : 장윤성, 장활식

초록

첨성대에 관한 최초의 기록인 『삼국유사』 선덕왕지기삼사조는 첨성대와 선덕여왕 죽음간의 연관성을 숨겨진 형태로 전하고 있다. 이는 첨성대가 선덕여왕 몰년에 건립되었을 가능성을 강력히 시사한다. 또한 첨성대의 구조분석을 통하여 장대석들이 囬囲井이라는 글자를 이루고 있음을 발견했는데, 이는 첨성대가 선덕여왕의 재림을 기원하기 위한 목적으로 건립되었음을 의미한다. 첨성대는 밀교승려에 의해 건립되었기 때문에 그동안 해석의 어려움을 겪어왔을 것이다.
첨성대는 당시의 왕경 중심에 가까이 건립되었는데, 첨성대의 19단 장대석은 황룡사 남문, 기단의 서면(西面)은 서악리 고분군, 창문은 월성의 성문을 향하고 있다. 이는 천(天), 지(地), 인(人)의 개념을 각각 나타내는 것으로 해석될 수 있다. 첨성대 주위에 도랑이 있었고, 첨성대 외부가 9단까지 흙으로 덮여있었을 것으로 보이는 정황들이 발견되었다.

영어초록

The nature of Cheomseongdae, or Korea's so－called “star－gazing tower” located in the former Silla Dynasty capital of Gyeongju, remains one of country’s most provocative mysteries. This research argues that none of the numerous conflicting hypotheses that have been proposed satisfactorily explains the meaning of the tower.
An analysis of the records in Samguk Yusa, a 13th century historical text, revealed a previously undiscovered message that the construction of Cheomseongdae was related to the death of Queen Seondeok, who reigned from 632 until 647. This finding is consistent with the 15th century historical text Samguk Sajeolyo, which states that Cheomseongdae was completed on the day of Queen Seondeok’s death.
Moreover, the discovery of three Chinese characters formed by the long rectangle stones that run across the upper part of Cheomseongdae suggests that the tower was a Buddhist monument built in order to facilitate the queen’s reincarnation as an iconic religious figure. The interpretation of the characters—囬 meaning ‘returning,’ 囲 meaning ‘surrounding,’ and 井 meaning ‘a well’—reinforces the theory that Cheomseongdae was constructed to fulfill Queen Seondeok’s wish to return to Silla in her next life as a Chakravartin, or a divine earthly ruler. According to the Buddhist script Mahāmegha－sūtra, ‘Seondeok’ means one who is destined to be reborn as a Chakravartin.
Evidence further indicates that Buddhist monks at the time, whose esoteric practices differed from those related to Shamanist practices, seem to be responsible for the construction of Cheomseongdae. Therefore, the intention of the structure could not have been fully explained by either a Buddhist perspective or by a Shamanic perspective. The west side of Cheomseongdae’s stylobate faces a tomb presumed to be that of King Jinheung, considered a Chakravartin of Silla. The window in the middle of Cheomseongdae faces to the gate of Wolseong, Silla’s Royal Palace. The letter 囬 hidden in the upper part of Cheomseongdae faces towards the main gate of the Buddhist temple Hwangrongsa. Cheomseongdae’s nine circular lower layers represent the Earth; the nine circular central layers represent humanity; the nine circular upper layers represent the sky or the heavens.
The true symbolism of Cheomseongdae may have been made secret after the new dynasty of Goryo was established. No one would have dared to mention the return of the queen of Silla, which had been defeated and absorbed by Goryo. It was perhaps only after this new dynasty was established that Cheomseongdae began to be used to observe celestial movements.

참고자료

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