Loading place...
Loading place...
Gyerim (Cockerel Forest) is a small sacred grove of ancient trees between Wolseong Fortress and Cheomseongdae, steeped in Silla founding mythology. According to legend, a golden chest containing a baby was found here in 65 CE, accompanied by a crowing white rooster — the baby grew up to found the prestigious Gyeongju Kim clan.
The Samguk Sagi records that in 65 CE, King Talhae heard a rooster crowing in the forest at night and sent an officer to investigate. He found a golden chest hanging from a tree branch with a bright light emanating from it. Inside was a baby boy who was named Kim Alji — "gold baby" — founding the Gyeongju Kim lineage that would eventually produce many Silla kings.