Stories of Korea’s National Treasures 48
Photo Credit: Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
Nine-story Octagonal Stone Pagoda of Woljeongsa Temple
(Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do)
🏯 1. A Tower of Light in the Mountains
In the peaceful forest of Odaesan Mountain, within Woljeongsa Temple, stands a magnificent pagoda unlike any other — the Nine-story Octagonal Stone Pagoda, a masterpiece of stone architecture from the Unified Silla period (8th–9th century).
Its tall, slender form rises gracefully toward the sky, reflecting both spiritual aspiration and artistic precision.
The pagoda is the centerpiece of Woljeongsa Temple, harmonizing with the surrounding pines and mountain air — a symbol of purity, balance, and enlightenment carved in stone.
To approach it is to feel both reverence and calm, as if walking into a living prayer.
🪨 2. Structure and Artistic Design
The pagoda stands approximately 15.2 meters tall, built entirely of granite, with nine octagonal stories that taper gently upward.
Its octagonal plan is rare in Korea and demonstrates the advanced geometric understanding and craftsmanship of Silla stonemasons.
The base is composed of a lotus-carved plinth supporting the central body, while each tier features subtly upturned eaves and refined cornices.
Every story decreases in size with mathematical precision, creating a rhythm of vertical movement that draws the eye heavenward.
The structure is both stable and light — a triumph of proportion where spiritual symbolism meets architectural harmony.
At the foot of the pagoda stands a stone seated Bodhisattva, believed to be Manjusri (Munsu-bosal), the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, who is said to have resided on Odaesan according to Buddhist legend.
🌄 3. Symbolism and Meaning
In Buddhist cosmology, the pagoda represents the axis of the universe, uniting earth and heaven through its vertical ascent.
Its nine stories symbolize the Nine Levels of Enlightenment, the stages through which sentient beings ascend toward ultimate awakening.
The octagonal form, balancing eight directions around a single center, conveys wholeness and cosmic order — a world where wisdom radiates evenly in all directions.
To the faithful, the pagoda stands as a reminder that enlightenment is not a destination but a journey — a gradual ascent through devotion, patience, and clarity.
🌿 4. Preservation and Legacy
The Nine-story Octagonal Stone Pagoda of Woljeongsa Temple is one of the tallest and most beautifully proportioned stone pagodas in Korea.
Despite natural erosion and centuries of weather, it remains remarkably intact, retaining its original elegance and structural balance.
Designated National Treasure No. 48, the pagoda is recognized as a pinnacle of Silla stone architecture and a landmark of Korean Buddhist aesthetics.
Its silhouette, rising amidst the mists of Odaesan, continues to inspire visitors — a living emblem of harmony between nature, architecture, and faith.
When morning light touches its stone, the pagoda seems to breathe with the mountain —
quietly whispering that wisdom, too, rises from stillness.
💬 5. A Warm Reflection
“This pagoda stands not in stone alone,
but in silence, grace, and balance.
Each tier rises like a thought of peace —
a step toward the sky,
a reflection of the mind made clear.”
📌 Notice
The National Treasure number indicates the order of designation, not a ranking of value.
For more information, please visit the 👉National Heritage Portal