The subject of this week’s Jeju: A to Z is the dolhareubang, a stone statue found nearly everywhere on the island. As Todd Thacker explains, these cultural icons have a wide historical and modern significance.

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Even if you’re just arriving at Jeju International Airport, travellers here are guaranteed to spot the sometimes stern, sometimes smiling faces of black basalt stone statues.


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Commonly placed at building entrances, roads, bridges


Pairs of Jeju’s venerable stone grandfathers, or Dolhareubang (돌하르방) are ever-present and ever-vigilant on either side of building entrances, roads, and bridges all over the island.


They are of various shapes and sizes -- ranging from under a meter in height to 1.8 meters tall -- but their essential design is the same. They have stubby noses, wear a conical hat, and wrap their arms around their ample bellies.


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Protect communities, individuals against misfortune


For centuries islanders have believed they served as guardians for the welfare and prosperity of individuals and communities. They also served as boundary markers and entry control signposts. A third function was shamanistic in nature.


It was a Jeju Governor by the name of Kim Mong-gyu (김몽규) who in 1754 ordered that stone grandfathers be carved and distributed around the island.


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Officially named ‘Dolhareubang’ in 1971


Since then, these statues have been known by many different names, but in 1971 the Jeju Cultural Properties Committee selected “Dolhareubang” as its official name.


Now, these volcanic stone statues have become a well-recognized symbol of Jeju, its people, and stone culture.


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Todd Thacker


They have also been incorporated into the branding of Jeju agricultural and tourist products and services, as well as becoming a best-selling tourist souvenir.


Todd Thacker KCTV