Gold girdle of Korea

Royal girdle of Korea
Hangul	금제과대
Hanja	金製과帶
Revised Romanization	geumje gwa dae
McCune–Reischauer	kŭmje kwa tae

There are several gold girdles of Korea which have been excavated. They are symbols of royalty but lesser belts were worn by governmental officials. These belts have been found in the tombs of both Silla and Baekje kings and queens and the lesser nobility. The lesser girdles can be distinguished based on their size, material used, and color. All royal girdles follow a general scheme. The royal girdles are made from pure gold metal plates attached to one another and are adorned with many charms, such as gogok. The symbolism of these charms and their significance are not yet fully ascertained. The practice of wearing girdles probably derives from Chinese traditions.

Geumgwanchong gwadae mit yopae (hangul 금제과대 hanja 金製과帶) (Girdle and pendants from Geumgwanchong) was designated as the 88th national treasure of Korea on December 20, 1962. This girdle was found in the Gold Crown Tomb and is of Silla provenance. It is currently housed at the Gyeongju National Museum.

Cheonmachong geumje gwadae (hangul 천마총금제과대 hanja 天馬塚金製과帶) (Gold girdle with pendants from Cheonmachong) was excavated from the Heavenly Horse Tomb and was designated as the 190th national treasure of Korea on December 7, 1978. This girdle is also housed at the Gyengju National Museum and is of Silla provenance

This golden belt is 125 centimeters in length and is made from 44 metal rectangles. Leather or metal rings were inserted to link the belt through nine holes in the girdle. Hanging from the girdle are numerous charms, the symbolic meaning of these charms are still in question. However, the charms may originate from Chinese traditions of formality from the book, Yegi. The charms on the left of the belt include jade comma-shaped gogok, a small knife, a case for medicines, a whetstone, a flint, and tweezers. These charms match the objects needed to perform the ancestral rites based on Chinese tradition. The charms hanging on the right side of the belt include bone instruments worn on the thumb for use in archery, an instrument used to suspend the bow string, and a cup.

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