Imagery
Gyeongju
At the entrance to every temple there is a gate called Sacheonmun (“Four Heavens Gate”), which houses the Sacheonwang (“Four Kings of Heaven”). They stand two on either side, guarding the entrance to the temple. The figure on the left is about to feed a dragon snack to his pet dragon (just kidding—the small red gem in his left hand is a “wishstone.” Called yeouiju in Korean and cintamani in Sanskrit, these jewels have the power to grant any wish, and are often found in the possession of dragons). The figure on the right holds a spear in one hand and a pagoda in the other. The Bulguksa Temple site explains the meaning of each of the four kings.