Korean Friendship Bell

As we drove down the hillside to arrive at what looked like a normal park, in the distance, there was a pagoda standing alone. The serenity of the wind and sunlight created the perfect ambiance. As the pagoda began to fill my view, the purpose of my visit became clearer as a vision of friendship in the form of a bell. The Korean Friendship Bell that is.

History is a mysterious beauty in which it becomes more enticing as you uncover more in-depth and the history detective that I am, I wanted to know more about the historical Korean Friendship Bell that might not have been shared at the actual monument. So, I went onto the City of San Pedro website and I was able to get some more detailed information about this bell. If you want to see the scenic version of this, please click here on the Korean Friendship Bell.

This bell was given for three purposes:

1. To symbolize the friendship between the people of the Republic of Korea and the people of the United States.
2. To celebrate the bicentennial of the U.S. Independence.
3. To honor veterans of the Korean War.

     The pattern of the bell was inspired by another bell, the Bronze Bell of King Songdok, which was casted in 771 A.D. which is still in South Korea today.

     There are four pairs of the same two figures which is the Goddess of Liberty holding a torch and the Korean spirit. Each Korean spirit is holding up a different item that are meaningful in Korean tradition:
           1. A symbolic design of the Korean flag
           2. A branch of the rose of Sharon, Korea's                      National flower 
           3. A branch of laurel, symbol of victory
           4. A dove of peace

      Unlike typical bells that we usually see that have a clapper, this bell is instead struck from the outside with a wooden log to make its beautiful sound which is in the vlog post that I just completed.

     
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE KOREAN FRIENDSHIP BELL!!
            1. The pavilion is supported by twelve columns representing the twelve designs of the 
                Oriental Zodiac. Animals stand guard at the base of each column. 
            2. The bell is rung only four times each year:
                    a. the Fourth of July
                    b. August 15 (Korean Independence Day)
                    c. New Years' Eve
                    d. Every September to coincide with bell ringing around the country to celebrate                                       Constitution week. 

     P.S. When we were there, the bell was being rung and it did not fit any of these dates, so I wonder if it is for special occasions as well.

     If you want to check it out yourself, here is the 
     link to Google Maps with the address:

     3601 S Gaffey St, San Pedro, CA 90731

     Check out how to fly a kite on my Kite Flying! post and How to fly a kite video.

If you like what you see, Subscribe to my blog!

     Check out my YouTube Channel!

     Look forward to sharing my next adventure with you!