Queen Sŏndŏk(善德: reign 632～647) was a good, clever and virtuous Empress. But she was short and plain so she had no dignity. It wasn't a small fault for a queen. So many images were made for her. She was titled to Sŏngjohwanggo(聖祖皇姑). It means Empress descended from divine ancestors. Her divine ancestors were Hyŏkgŏse(赫居世) who was the progenitor of Silla Dynasty and Shakyamuni Buddha who was regardes as the progenitor of hallowed-bone(聖骨) qualified for royalty. She built Chŏmsŏngdae(瞻星臺) in 633. It took the shape of well which bore Hyŏkgŏse and Maya's body who bore Buddha. She built Bunhwangsa Temple(芬皇寺) in 634. The meaning of the name was fragrant empress, She built Yŏngmyosa Temple(靈妙寺) in 635. Yŏngmyo meant Empress is miraculous and mysterious. Besides building, many stories were made. In Jigwi(志鬼) story adopted from Indian story it was said that she was beautiful and miraculous. In Okmunji(玉門池) story it was said that she had excellent foresight. Peony story was most widely known among them. In original peony story it was said that Emperor of T'ang sent seeds and picture of peony to make fun of her. But the story was recomposed. In revised version it was said that she was so mysterious to predict that the peony wouldn't have fragrancy. Many stories were made and recomposed during her reign. People of Silla loved the good and virtuos queen so they made and spread the stories to praise her. Her posthumous title was 'Sŏndŏk'. It's meaning is 'good and virtuous'.

Queen Sŏndŏk(善德: reign 632～647) was a good, clever and virtuous Empress. But she was short and plain so she had no dignity. It wasn't a small fault for a queen. So many images were made for her. She was titled to Sŏngjohwanggo(聖祖皇姑). It means Empress descended from divine ancestors. Her divine ancestors were Hyŏkgŏse(赫居世) who was the progenitor of Silla Dynasty and Shakyamuni Buddha who was regardes as the progenitor of hallowed-bone(聖骨) qualified for royalty. She built Chŏmsŏngdae(瞻星臺) in 633. It took the shape of well which bore Hyŏkgŏse and Maya's body who bore Buddha. She built Bunhwangsa Temple(芬皇寺) in 634. The meaning of the name was fragrant empress, She built Yŏngmyosa Temple(靈妙寺) in 635. Yŏngmyo meant Empress is miraculous and mysterious. Besides building, many stories were made. In Jigwi(志鬼) story adopted from Indian story it was said that she was beautiful and miraculous. In Okmunji(玉門池) story it was said that she had excellent foresight. Peony story was most widely known among them. In original peony story it was said that Emperor of T'ang sent seeds and picture of peony to make fun of her. But the story was recomposed. In revised version it was said that she was so mysterious to predict that the peony wouldn't have fragrancy. Many stories were made and recomposed during her reign. People of Silla loved the good and virtuos queen so they made and spread the stories to praise her. Her posthumous title was 'Sŏndŏk'. It's meaning is 'good and virtuous'.

Queen Sŏndŏk, peony story, Jigwi story. Okmunji story, Chŏmsŏngdae