Stories of Korea’s National Treasures 30
Photo Credit : Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
Brick Pagoda at Bunhwangsa Temple (Mojeonseoktap)
(Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
🏯 1. A Stone Pagoda that Imitates Brick
Within the ancient temple grounds of Bunhwangsa in Gyeongju stands a remarkable pagoda unlike any other — the Brick Pagoda (Mojeonseoktap), meaning “stone tower imitating bricks.”
Constructed in 634 CE, during the reign of Queen Seondeok, this pagoda is one of the oldest surviving stone pagodas in Korea. Its design shows the creative transition from wooden and brick pagodas to the uniquely Korean stone pagoda tradition that later flourished in the Unified Silla period.
Though made entirely of stone, it was meticulously carved to resemble stacked bricks, displaying extraordinary craftsmanship and architectural ingenuity.
🪨 2. Architectural Design and Symbolism
The pagoda originally stood nine stories high, though only three tiers remain today. Each level features carefully shaped stone blocks that imitate brickwork, with lotus motifs and door-like reliefs carved on the surfaces.
At the corners of the first story stand stone guardian lions, each sculpted in dynamic postures as if protecting the temple’s spiritual energy. Their expressive realism and strength reveal the artistry and vitality of Silla sculpture in its early stages.
The pagoda’s overall form symbolizes the Buddhist cosmos — a sacred mountain connecting earth and heaven — while its brick-like stones represent the accumulation of virtue through steadfast faith.
🌄 3. The Spirit of Queen Seondeok’s Era
Bunhwangsa Temple was one of the most important Buddhist temples during Queen Seondeok’s reign, a time when Silla embraced Buddhism as both a spiritual and cultural foundation.
The pagoda reflects her vision of harmony between faith and knowledge. It is said that the queen herself commissioned its construction to pray for the peace and prosperity of her kingdom.
Standing before the tower today, one can sense both regal grace and spiritual devotion — the twin pillars of Silla’s golden age.
🌿 4. Preservation and Legacy
Although centuries of weathering and wars have damaged the upper sections, the Brick Pagoda at Bunhwangsa still retains its solemn dignity. The remaining structure continues to reveal the technical mastery and refined aesthetics of early Silla builders.
Designated National Treasure No. 30, this pagoda marks the beginning of Korea’s stone pagoda tradition and remains a key link in understanding the evolution of Buddhist architecture in East Asia.
It endures as a testament to how faith can turn stone into poetry, and how ancient craftsmanship still speaks with quiet strength.
💬 5. A Warm Reflection
“The stones of Bunhwangsa whisper of patience —
each carved to resemble brick, yet stronger than time.
They remind us that sincerity, layer by layer,
builds what even centuries cannot erase.”
📌 Notice
The National Treasure number indicates the order of designation, not a ranking of value.
For more information, please visit the 👉National Heritage Portal