- Koguryo and Balhae
- Anak Tomb No. 3
Koguryo and Balhae
| Title | Eastern Wall of the Eastern Auxiliary Chamber - Carriage House - Carriage 1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Wall of the Eastern Auxiliary Chamber - Carriage House - Bird
This is a detailed view of the bird depicted on the roof of the carriage house on the eastern wall in the eastern auxiliary chamber. Although the beak is red, its black feathers suggest that this bird is a crow. The essence of a bird was well-captured as evidenced by its beak, wings, and tail feathers. A mythical three-legged crow is often depicted superimposed over the sun in Koguryo tomb murals. A three-legged crow was often depicted inside the sun as flying crows were considered to symbolically carry the sun from the east to west. It was also considered to be a spiritual medium capable of communicating with the heavens and the earth. Hence, birds are often depicted perched atop roofs of houses in tomb murals as ancient people believed birds safely transported the souls of the deceased into the afterlife. This is an excellent example that provides viewers with the concept of afterlife in ancient times.