Abstract

This research is a thematic study that examines religious beliefs depicted within the murals adorning the ancient tombs of the Korean Kingdom of Goguryeo in Ji’an. The article focuses on analyzing the portrayal of religion in Goguryeo culture. The researchers collected data from mural paintings in six ancient tombs of Ji’an. These were compared and analyzed with ancient mural paintings in different regions in the same period. Qualitative methods of iconography, observation, and documentary analysis were used to gather data through the anthropological lens of cultural identity and representation. This article analyzes the cultural identity of Goguryeo and finds that the murals are important carriers of Goguryeo religious identity and sociocultural practices. This study offers a new perspective on Goguryeo tomb murals, particularly concerning the early adoption of Buddhism by influential individuals, and offers a new theoretical foundation and practical example for future research in the fields.