This study examines the Banja Dancheong style of traditional Korean architecture, with a particular emphasis on the lotus pattern found among the Woomul Banja ceiling patterns. The genesis of Korean ceiling decoration motifs can be traced back to the Goguryeo mural tombs of the mid-4th century. The oldest known examples of Banja Dancheong styles in Korean traditional architecture are Beomja lotus pattern decorated in well-shaped Banja of the Daeungjeon Hall of Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong (1435), the Geungnakbojeon Hall of Muwisa Temple in Gangjin (1430) and the Guksajeon Hall of Songgwangsa Temple (15th century). This Beomja lotus pattern, adorned with the ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ mantra, emerges as an almost definitive example. Therefore, it is evident that this decorative element stands as a quintessential exemplar of the early style among well-shaped Banja decorations in Korean temple architecture. The Ohwayeonhwadangcho pattern, encapsulating the essence of the lotus motif, is a Dancheong pattern with a lineage that stretches back to the early Joseon Dynasty, where it was initially employed in the Banja wells. This pattern exhibits design characteristics that are perfectly suited to the square Banja wells. The lotus pattern, thus, has been extensively utilized as a decorative motif in palaces, temples, and Confucian architectural structures, evolving continuously from Korea’s Goguryeo period Dancheong patterns to the present day.

The purpose of this study is to inquire original design and character of dancheong in Yeongnamnu Pavilion which features unusual portraits of twisting dragons and four heavenly creatures. Its artistic value and originality can be found in the portraits of four heavenly creatures which are painted on the interior seonjayeon(fan shape rafter) and in the unique design of crossbeam meoricho(flower decorations on each side of pillars). Yeongnamnu’s crossbeam meoricho is janggu-meoricho type(meoricho with hourglass figure) with full-shape lotus and half-shape flower decorations. And it can be said that, dragon portrait painted on the border of lotus and flower decorations in green and yellow is a very unique style of dancheong, for the reason that it has scarcely been used before and ever since. The portrait of four heavenly creatures painted on each corner of seonjayeon is also found to be unique in design, for the reason that the design has rarely been used throughout history, with only two exceptions in mural tombs of Goguryeo and folding screen in Injeongjeon Hall of Changdeokgung Palace . With its unique and authentic feature along with its rarity in number, the portrait of four heavenly creatures painted on Yeongnamnu can be considered as quite symbolic and important.