"Smile of Face-Patterned Sumaksae Tiles Used to Ward Off Ghosts"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jonggil Lee] It has been claimed that the smile depicted on the Gyeongju face-patterned sumaksae, known as the "Smile of Silla," symbolizes warding off evil spirits (byeoksa, ?邪, meaning to repel malevolent ghosts). Sumaksae are round-shaped roof tiles used to finish the edges of eaves or walls. The Gyeongju face-patterned sumaksae housed at the National Gyeongju Museum is considered a representative masterpiece that embodies the excellent tile craftsmanship of Silla. It was handmade rather than molded. Although the lower left part is damaged, the gentle smile subtly held beneath the kind eyes is beautiful.

Professor Byungryul Yoon of Hongik University argued in the latest issue of the quarterly academic journal "Cultural Heritage," published by the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, that this modest yet human expression is an extraordinary form of warding off evil. He stated, “Demon-faced (gwimyeonmun, 鬼面文) sumaksae, which depict the faces or bodies of monstrous creatures on architectural or craft elements, usually have fierce and grim appearances to drive away evil spirits and protect the household. The smile seen on the face-patterned sumaksae is an expression that defies common sense and surpasses our imagination.”

Professor Yoon explained, “A laugh that is unserious, frivolous, harboring some ulterior motive, cheeky, cunning, or gleeful, or pretending to be enlightened could actually provoke supernatural beings. The smile on the sumaksae contains a profound philosophy that is difficult to easily discern, and it embodies multiple layers of transcendental qualities that distance itself from all inappropriate laughter.” He added, “This smile implies warmth that does not engage in hostile acts but rather welcomes, containing a strategy that says, ‘I am not your enemy, and I have no intention to harm you.’”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.