Stupa of Hwabangsa Temple, Namhae

Climbing roughly 20–30 m up from the Iljumun Gate (the single-pillar gate marking the temple entrance) into the grounds of Hwabangsa Temple, the stupa stands on the hillside to the left. It is a stone-type stupa entirely covered in moss, and the front face of its stylobate has become fully exposed, giving it an apparent risk of collapse. The stupa is divided into three parts — stylobate, body and finial — with the body and finial carved from a single stone. The stylobate is of dressed stone formed in two tiers, and the upper surface on which the body rests is decorated all around with double-petalled lotus designs. Below the lotus-bud-shaped finial it appears to be decorated with seven large, bold lotus petals, but close inspection shows the pattern is in fact created by lotus leaves curled symmetrically against one another to produce a lotus-petal effect — a distinctive feature.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Namhae, Gyeongnam

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료