Two Stone Guardian Posts are standing at the entrance of Bulhoesa Temple in Naju. As with most of the guardian posts, they are erected at the entrance of villages or Buddhist temples to mark boundaries and to guard against evil spirits. These Stone Guardian Posts served as protective deities to prevent evil spirits from entering the temple.
Built during the Silla Dynasty, Bulhoesa Temple is located in a ravine at the foot of a steep mountain. The two Stone Guardian Posts, which have distinctive male and female figures, are standing on each side of the road at about 300 meters from the Temple. The male post is made with deeply carved distinct lines, with a goatee and a hair knot on its head. It has upper canine teeth sticking out of the corner of the mouth, with Hawondang Janggun (General Hawondang) inscribed on its body. Compared to the male post, the female stone guardian post has a gentle look, and it is depicted in shallow lines. It has a smiling face, with the name Ju Janggun -- originally Sangwonju Janggun (General Sangwonju) -- inscribed on its body. Both posts have big round eyes and stubby nose. They look very similar to dolharubang (stone grandfather) in Jeju-do as well as the Stone Guardian Post of Unheungsa Temple, Naju (Important Folklore Material No. 12).
These Stone Guardian Posts are presumed to have been made in the 45th year of King Sukjong’s reign (1719). They are a symbolic sculpture reflecting shamanistic beliefs and Buddhism. Their rugged yet humorous facial expression looks friendly.