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This paper will study the building background and significance of the 40th AnniversaryMonument of Gojong ’s Enthronement and will also consider the art historical meaning onthe arrangement and the iconic feature of the animal statues which are adorning the exteriorof the memorial royal palace. The 40th Anniversary Monument of Gojong’s Enthronement is a tombstone whichhave erected in 1902 at the southern Chamber of Elders(耆老所), to commemorate the40th anniversary of the King Gojong(r.1863 -1907), entering into the Chamber of Eldersby going on sixty years old, changing the name of a country into “Daehan(大韓)” and usingthe title of Emperor. The King Gojong took pains to establish modern and autonomous state by organizingthe system and adopting the modern civilization. Building the monument which was thebiggest undertaking for commemorating is a great achievement under the rapidly changingsituation and poor financial condition. The banister of the memorial royal palace which protecting the tombstone is adornedwith Four Symbols, the Earthly Branches and Haechi(獬豸). This example could be seen in the case of the stone steps of Geunjeongjeon in Gyeongbokgung Palace, but it differs considerablyin the principles of the arrangement. As for the stone steps, it could be interpretedby the Theory of I-Ching. As for the memorial royal palace, however, it could be seen thata different arrangement was applied; each animal had placed at all direction. It is assumedthat it aims to extensively reach the king Gojong’s reign and edification into the whole nationand to announce that the Korean Empire is an autonomous state. Although the production date of the animal statues of the memorial royal palace is apparentand it is a great work by the nation, it shows an art of low standard comparing tothe artwork of the early Joseon Dynasty. The formative features of icons showed a trendof simplification and formalization with technical regression in pictorial sculpture. Thistendency was keeping with the rise and fall of the Korean Empire. The importance of thisresearch includes how confused situation then has affected the artwork.