Influence from the Black Sea and Central Asia in Shilla Dynasty

In this posting, I’d like to show you one small golden sword decorated with jewels.
At first glance, I felt that it was quite different style of Shilla Kingdom.

According to the explanation board, the size of this sword is 36 Cm long, it was estimated to be made in 5th century.

The explanation board said that this kinds of sword were made in the Black Sea Area and tThhe Central Asia.

There were some patterns on the surface of the sword. It was said that the patterns were the Tai Chi, Sun and the trees.

Actually the explanation that this sword had a relation with the area of the Black Sea and the Central Asia means that Shilla had a contact with northern cultures.

There was a brilliant civilization in the Black Sea. It was the Scythian. Scythia had developed the civilization of Gold.

There was a special exhibition of Scythian Gold civilization in more than 20 years ago. It was regret that I could not buy the pamphlet.

But at first glance I was surprised by the similarity of the sword with the relics of Scythian.

As you know, Scythian is estimated as a tribe of Persian.
It means that Shilla had a contact with Persia through two ways from South on the sea and from North on the land.

At that time when the Scythian golden relics special exhibition was held, many scholars told the close relations between Shilla and Scythian civilization.

The Kingdom of Scythia was collapsed in 2nd century AD by the Goth.

So it is hard to believe that Shilla and Scythia had a direct connection, when we think that the sword was found in the tomb of 5th century.

Anyway the obvious fact is that the sword is as similar as the relics of Scythian civilization.

This kinds of uncertainty allow us to the world of imagination. For example, the owner of the sword could be a Scythian refuge.

I’d like to say one thing different from the explanation board of Tai Chi patterns.
They explained the three rounds as the pattern of the Tai Chi.

But the round of the sword is little bit different from Tai Chi.
The pattern of Tai Chi must be divided into 2 parts, yin and yang.
But the round of the sword is divided into 3 parts.
It the round is divide into 3 parts, it can’t be Yin and Yang.

This kinds of 3 parted round was closely related with a symbol of the Sun in northern shamanism.

In my opinion, the 3 parts of the round look so similar with the sign of sun in Goguryeo.
Goguryeo, the northern kingdom at that time, had shape the sun with the 3 legged crow.

For me the round divided into 3 part looks like a pattern of 3 leg of crow and the sun.
If the owner had arrived at Shilla, he must’ve passed through Goguryeo.

Below is the symbol of legged crow.

3 tai chi was originated From this 3 legged crow. And three tai chi is unique pattern of Korea and northern civilization.

This 3 tai chi means the heaven, the earth and people. In this respect 3 tai chi is different from chinese Tai chi which means Yn and Yang.

In this voyage, he might’ve made the pattern of 3 legged crow which symbolized the Sun.

The small golden sword made me think so many things.
It is a pleasure for me to travel the world of imagination.

Thank you for reading.