{"id":5990,"date":"2026-06-16T20:28:29","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T11:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/?p=5990"},"modified":"2026-07-03T09:04:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T00:04:58","slug":"along-the-pine-shaded-path-to-the-tomb-of-king-gyeongdeok","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/?p=5990","title":{"rendered":"Along the Pine-Shaded Path to the Tomb of King Gyeongdeok"},"content":{"rendered":"
The Song of the Earth<\/h5><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/h5><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Along the Pine-Shaded Path to the Tomb of King Gyeongdeok<\/h2><\/div>

\u201cThe king is the father, the minister the mother, and the people are the children.\u201d In the 24th year of King Gyeongdeok\u2019s reign, in an age when caring for the people was sung as the very essence of good governance, the spirit of Anminga\u2014the \u201cSong for the Peace of the People,\u201d offered by the monk Chungdamsa\u2014still lingers quietly beneath the shade of the pine trees.<\/h4><\/div>

Written by<\/strong> Lim Sookyoung Photography by<\/strong> Park Jinhyung<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div><\/div>
\"\ud558\ub298\uc5d0\uc11c<\/a><\/span><\/div>

Tomb of King Gyeongdeok, Gyeongju, Seen from Above<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

\u273b A Village Beyond Namsan, Tucked Within<\/span><\/h2><\/div>

As the road descends along the southern foot of Gyeongju\u2019s Namsan Mountain, it leads to a village whose very name feels quiet: Naenam-myeon. Literally meaning \u201cthe inner south,\u201d it is a land nestled deep to the south. Located southwest of downtown Gyeongju and surrounded by mountains, the area has long been called Naenam, meaning \u201cthe inner south,\u201d as it lies deep beyond Namsan Mountain. Though it lies outside the city, it has also been another kind of center: a place where wind and waterways come to rest. Even today, the upper streams of the Hyeongsan River meet the ridgelines of Namsan here, while the layers of old Gyeongju\u2019s time remain quietly accumulated.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\u273b The King\u2019s Resting Place on a Gentle Hill<\/span><\/h2><\/div>

The path to the Tomb of King Gyeongdeok is accompanied by low hills and pine woods. After passing the farm road and entering the pine forest, the fresh scent of pine greets visitors, clearing the mind.
\nThe Tomb of King Gyeongdeok is known as the royal tomb of the 35th king of Unified Silla. Believed to have been constructed in the mid-8th century, it is now designated and managed as a historic site. Rather than standing exposed on flat land, the tomb rests on a gentle hill. From a distance, the boundary between mountain and royal mound grows indistinct, and the burial mound seems to blend into nature itself.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\uacbd\uc8fc<\/span><\/div>

Tomb of King Gyeongdeok, Gyeongju<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\"\uacbd\uc8fc<\/span><\/div>

Path to the Tomb of King Gyeongdeok, Gyeongju<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\"\uacbd\uc8fc<\/span><\/div>

Twelve Zodiac Animal Deities at the Tomb of King Gyeongdeok, Gyeongju<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

\u273b The Story of King Gyeongdeok and Chungdamsa<\/span><\/h2><\/div>

It was spring in the twenty-fourth year of King Gyeongdeok\u2019s reign. Strange events had continued in the palace courtyard, where spirits were said to appear from time to time. Taking this as no ordinary matter, the king climbed the pavilion of Gujjeongmun Gate on Samjinnal, the third day of the third lunar month.
\nHe ordered his officials to bring him a monk of dignity and spiritual depth. When he saw a monk in humble, worn clothing carrying a cherry-wood container, the king was greatly pleased and called him in.
\nThe monk introduced himself as Chungdamsa and said he was on his way back after offering tea to Maitreya Buddha at Samhwaryeong on Namsan Mountain. At the king\u2019s request, he brewed and served tea. Its fragrance was deep and subtle, unlike anything the king had ever tasted.
\nRealizing that this was the very man who had composed a song in praise of Giparang, the king asked him to offer another verse. At last, Chungdamsa composed and presented a song meaning \u201cto bring peace to the people.\u201d Later known as Anminga, this song spoke of the nation not in the language of rule, but in the language of care.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\u273b Guardian Figures Carved in Stone, the Twelve Zodiac Deities<\/span><\/h2><\/div>

In front of the royal tomb stands a tall stone structure carved with ansangmun motifs. As one draws closer, the distinctive features of the tomb become clear.
\nAround the base of the rounded burial mound, a sturdy stone retaining structure encircles the tomb, and between its stones are carvings of the Twelve Zodiac Deities. The stonework resembles the stone foundation of a wooden building: panel stones are set upon base stones, with upright support stones placed between them like pillars.
\nOn the support stones, at regular intervals, figures of the Twelve Zodiac Deities are carved wearing armor and holding weapons. These guardian-like figures stand around the tomb as if protecting it. Among the many details of the royal tomb, they are the ones that most naturally hold the eye. Carved in stone, these forms have kept their place for a thousand years.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\u273b Time Embraced by the Pine Forest<\/span><\/h2><\/div>

More than anything, the path to the Tomb of King Gyeongdeok leaves an impression of quiet comfort. Though the pine forest stands densely around the royal tomb, as if embracing it, the scene is simply peaceful.
\nWhen the wind blows, the scent of pine drifts first, and light breaks into fine pieces between the branches. The grass upon the tomb shines with the green of summer.
\nAccording to historical records, several accounts remain regarding the burial place of King Gyeongdeok. Some say he was first buried elsewhere and later moved, and scholars still differ in their opinions as to whether the present tomb is truly his. Even so, the moment one stands before the stone enclosure and the Twelve Zodiac Deities, the time spent imagining the king and his kingdom from a thousand years ago becomes meaningful enough.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\u273b Small Traces Along the Way<\/span><\/h2><\/div>

Leaving the royal tomb behind, one finds it difficult to turn away. As one walks slowly along the narrow dirt path through the pine forest, small fragments of stone sometimes come into view beneath one\u2019s feet.
\nThe reign of King Gyeongdeok is regarded as the height of Silla culture. Bulguksa and Seokbulsa Temples were built, Woljeonggyo Bridge was constructed, and the casting of the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok began during this period.
\nBehind such brilliant achievements, the king\u2019s final resting place lies quietly here within the pine forest. The distance between the once-flourishing royal capital and this serene tomb somehow feels like the distance between present-day Gyeongju and Naenam-myeon. There are things that can only be seen when one takes a step farther inward.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\uacbd\uc8fc<\/span><\/div>

Tomb of King Gyeongdeok, Gyeongju<\/p>\n<\/div>

\u273b A Path Continuing Beneath the Pine Shade<\/span><\/h2><\/div>

This is not simply a path leading to a king\u2019s tomb. The gentle slope following the low hills, the quiet time beneath the pine shade, and the symbols carved into stone all come together to convey the lingering texture of Silla.
\nLike the name Naenam itself, this is a place reached by stepping one pace farther inward from the outside. Deep within that inner space, the royal tomb one encounters is more composed than splendid, more modest than grand.
\nBeneath the pine shade of summer, the path to the Tomb of King Gyeongdeok continues quietly on.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Tomb of King Gyeongdeok, Gyeongju<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/div><\/div>

King Gyeongdeok, the 35th king of Silla, reigned from 742 to 765. The son of King Seongdeok, his personal name was Heonyeong. The tomb has a round burial mound, encircled by stonework built to protect it. King Gyeongdeok pursued institutional reforms, including the reorganization of administrative districts and the system of government offices and garrisons. It is also said that Bulguksa and Seokbulsa Temples were founded, and Woljeonggyo Bridge was built, during his reign.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\u2022 Tomb of King Gyeongdeok, Gyeongju<\/strong> San 7, Deokcheon-ri, Naenam-myeon, Gyeongju-si<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5749,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[174,172],"tags":[17,15,16,13,14],"class_list":["post-5990","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-song-of-the-earth","category-vol-168-en","tag-17","tag-15","tag-16","tag-13","tag-14"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5990","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5990"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5990\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/5749"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gyeongju2023.cafe24.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}