Jinmyoja(鎭墓者) in Koguryo Tomb Murals

Koguryo tomb murals reveal a shift from traditional grave guardians (jinmyoja) to cosmic and divine protectors, reflecting distinct cultural beliefs about the afterlife. Unlike Chinese practices where jinmyoja were consistently depicted or included as grave goods, Koguryo art favored cosmic figures like universe guardians (uijiksa) and divine messengers (sashin), suggesting a lesser emphasis on physical or spiritual remnants (pyeok/yeukchehon) lingering in tombs. This study analyzes these visual trends, showing how Koguryo culture prioritized the afterlife space over the tomb itself, with murals serving as protective symbols for the deceased's new existence—whether celestial or pure land-inspired.

Jeon, H.-T. (2018). Jinmyoja(鎭墓者) in Koguryo Tomb Murals. History & the World, 54, 119–161. https://doi.org/10.17857/hw.2018.12.54.119