Korean Folktale : The Origin of Jeju’s Stone Guardians – The Tale of Dolhareubang

🗿 Korean Folktale Series 52

“The Origin of Jeju’s Stone Guardians – The Tale of Dolhareubang”

(제주 돌하르방의 기원 · Jeju Dolhareubang-ui Giwon)

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🕰️ 1. The Story

Long ago, before Jeju Island was known by its name, fierce winds and sea storms constantly struck the land. The people lived in fear—ships were swallowed by waves, crops were destroyed, and even homes vanished overnight.

At the center of the island stood Hallasan, a great mountain where the Spirit of the Earth was said to dwell. One day, the villagers gathered at its base and prayed:

“Great Mountain Spirit, please protect our island from the sea’s fury.”

That night, the spirit appeared to a humble stonecutter named Haenam, known for his honest heart and strong hands. The spirit said,

“The island needs guardians—not of flesh, but of stone. Carve from the heart of Hallasan three great figures. Give them faces of wisdom and patience, for they shall stand watch over Jeju forever.”

Haenam obeyed. For many months, he carved through storms and sun, shaping great stone statues from volcanic rock. He gave them strong brows to face the wind, gentle smiles to calm the fearful, and hands resting on their bellies to symbolize peace.

When the statues were finished, Haenam placed them at the island’s gates—east, west, and south. That night, a mighty storm swept across the sea, but not a single home was harmed. The wind howled, yet it could not cross the line of stone guardians.

The next morning, the villagers found the statues covered in sea mist, their surfaces glistening as if alive. From that day on, they called them Dolhareubang (돌하르방)—meaning “Grandfather of Stone.”

The people believed each Dolhareubang held a spirit that could ward off evil, bring fertility to the land, and bless travelers who touched its nose for good luck.

Even centuries later, the stone grandfathers still stand across Jeju Island, silently watching over villages and harbors. Locals say that when the island trembles with storms, you can hear a low, gentle rumble—

“The grandfathers are speaking to the wind again.”

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🪄 2. Meaning & Lessons

• True strength lies in protection, not power.
• Nature and humanity thrive in harmony when respect guides creation.
• Guardianship is an act of love that endures beyond time.

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👀 3. Reflections in Life

• Those who build with sincerity create legacies that outlive their names.
• Peace is born not from force, but from the will to protect.
• Even silence can be a form of care, like stone standing through centuries.

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🌏 4. Similar Tales Around the World

•  Japan — The Jizō Statues
  Stone guardians who protect travelers and the souls of children.
•  China — The Stone Spirits of Mount Tai
  Ancient statues believed to guard against storms and misfortune.
•  Greece — The Caryatids of Athena’s Temple
  Stone figures that uphold not only temples but the memory of devotion.

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💬 A Warm Saying

“Guardians carved from love never crumble, even when the world changes.”

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📌 Note

This is creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).
Please do not copy without permission. Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.