Rock-carved Standing Buddha in Singyeong-ri, Hongseong

A huge Buddhist image is carved in high relief on protruding natural rock surfaces which has a niche for the Buddhist sculpture. The protuberance on the Buddha's head [Yukgyeo], shaped like a topknot, is depicted with a fair-sized. The face is relatively plump compared to the body and gentle smile gives off a mild impression. The sculpture is characterized by semicircular eyebrows, narrow and drooping eyes which emit gracious atmosphere. The sharp nose and mouth with gentle smiles are depicted smaller. His elongated ears reach down to his shoulder. And three lines are observed in his short neck. The body is fairly small compared to the face, yet the sculpture has well-balanced proportions. And the draped fabric with U-shaped folds is to cover both shoulders. The four thick lines underneath his neck are gradually simplified and depicted as thinner lines towards the bottom. The Buddha's hand gesture signifies “Bestowing fearless and supreme generosity”. Unlikely other ordinary hand gesture, his right hand attaches his right leg and the left hand raises up his chest. The sculpture has the illumination emanating from the entire body and the nimbus has separate halos behind the head and the body, each comprising three rings. A stone roof from the later period sits on the top of the Buddha's head, and lotus patterns were engraved on the front lower part of the octagonal shaped roof. Generally the sculpture has a voluminous face and balanced proportions. However, the statue is unbalanced from its loss of volume towards the bottom. This is for worshipers who look up at the Buddhist sculpture. The style indicates this Buddhist sculpture is from the early Goryeo kingdom. Some excavated shards of roof tiles imply a building was existed.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08