For my second cultural post, I looked at the Gold Crowns of Silla (신라 금관). The crowns are a collection of royal crowns from the early Silla period, which was one of the three Korean kingdoms, and it existed between 57 BCE to 935 CE. The crowns are classified into four categories based on the material, which are gold, gilt bronze, silver, and bronze. The silver and bronze crowns appeared only in the early and late Silla period, while the gold and gilt-bronze crowns had a bigger presence and significance during the time period.
Till today, only five crowns have been found from the five ancient tombs in Gyeongju (a coastal city of Gyeongsang Province, and it was the capital of Silla), which are the north mound of Hwangnam Daechong (Great Tomb of Hwangnam), Geumgwanchong (Gold Crown Tomb), Seobongchong (Auspicious Phoenix Tomb), Geumnyeongchong (Gold Bell Tomb), and Cheonmachong (Heavenly Horse Tomb).
Side note, Gyeongju itself was once the fourth largest city in the world, with large numbers of archaeological sites and cultural properties remaining there till this day. Many referred to the city as a museum without walls, because other than the crowns, the city contains many other historical treasures like the Bulguksa temple, Yangdong Folk Village (a world heritage site), and the Seokguram grotto.
Back to topic, the styling of the outer part of these crowns suggests a Korean connection with the Scytho-Iranians (Saka) through contact with people of the Eurasian steppe. The crowns are a uniquely Korean product and show no Chinese influence. The Silla crown is also notably distinct from the crown of Baekje, the crown of Gaya, and the crown of Goguryeo kingdoms. The tree motif of the crown is commonly believed to represent the idea of the world tree which was an important tenet of Siberian and Iranian shamanism. However, some believe that the trident-like protrusions symbolize mountains or even birds. Additionally, the antler-like prongs also indicate a strong connection to Korean Shamanism or the importance of the reindeer.
These crowns were often made from thin sheets of pure gold using advanced techniques like granulation and filigree, were likely reserved for kings, queens, or high nobility, symbolizing supreme power, wealth, and a link between heaven and earth in shamanistic rituals such as coronations. Gold crowns typically feature an inner cap (possibly silk-covered) and an outer band with dangling jade ornaments and tiny mirrors that would sparkle in sunlight, evoking the sun's divine role. Their burial in sealed tumuli protected these artifacts until modern excavations, highlighting Silla's sophisticated metalwork possibly influenced by Persian or steppe nomad exchanges via the Silk Road.
To summarize, the Gold Crowns of Silla (신라 금관) embody the kingdom's distinct identity as a shamanistic powerhouse that fused indigenous Korean traditions with Eurasian steppe influences, rejecting Chinese stylings to assert cultural autonomy. Their tree-like and antler motifs linked rulers to cosmic forces, reinforcing Silla's unification of the Three Kingdoms and its Golden Kingdom legacy through fascinating artistry.
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