Hanging tomb

The eight stone statues lined up as if guarding the royal tomb and the twelve zodiac gods surrounding it are said to be the most exquisitely carved of all the surviving Silla royal tombs. The Gwaereung is believed to be the tomb of King Wonseong, the 38th king of Silla.

The name "Kuelun" (hanging tomb), which means "hanging a tomb," comes from the fact that at the site where the royal tomb was being constructed, there was a small pond, which was filled in to create the tomb. In order to prevent water from seeping into the tomb, the coffin was hung at a high place.

On the vast lawn, four statues - two warriors, two scholars, and a lion - are lined up facing each other. The four lion statues, with their powerful bodies, stand tall with only their heads turned in the direction they are protecting, as if to protect the four directions - east, west, north and south, with smiles on their faces.

Among them, the lion is smiling with its head turned towards Kuelun (north side) and its left paw slightly raised, as if to subdue the weaker, and its face gives a glimpse of the confidence and power of Silla, which unified the three kingdoms.