| Halla-san, the Great Mountain |
Halla-san on a rare clear day, August 2003, from the southeast. At 1950 meters, it's the highest
peak in South Korea. A huge ancient volcano which formed this entire island, it has been dormant
since 1007 CE. I found 14 Buddhist temples and one mountain-shrine on its ample well-forested
lower slopes (there are none up in the alpine areas, which are protected as a National Park).
peak in South Korea. A huge ancient volcano which formed this entire island, it has been dormant
since 1007 CE. I found 14 Buddhist temples and one mountain-shrine on its ample well-forested
lower slopes (there are none up in the alpine areas, which are protected as a National Park).
The crater at the peak is named Baek-rok-dam or Baengnok-dam
[White Deer Pond] and is the holiest site on Jeju-do. There is a
small lake in it which changes size according to the weather.
White animals such as deer, cows or tigers (albinos?) are
considered sacred by Koreans. An old tale claimed that 100
Shin-seon [spiritual-immortals, enlightened persons] enjoyed
riding around on white deer up here, hence the name. Annual
ceremonies to Heaven and the Spirit of Halla-san were held here
until the 15th Century, when the altar was moved to the NE slope.
More on the importance of this crater is here.
[White Deer Pond] and is the holiest site on Jeju-do. There is a
small lake in it which changes size according to the weather.
White animals such as deer, cows or tigers (albinos?) are
considered sacred by Koreans. An old tale claimed that 100
Shin-seon [spiritual-immortals, enlightened persons] enjoyed
riding around on white deer up here, hence the name. Annual
ceremonies to Heaven and the Spirit of Halla-san were held here
until the 15th Century, when the altar was moved to the NE slope.
More on the importance of this crater is here.
The dramatic rock formations on the
south-western slope, starting from the
Yeong-shil [Spirit-room] trailhead and
marching upwards to the peak, are
known as "the Five Hundred Disciples
of Buddha" (see these pages for more on
the common-in-Korea religious concept of
outstanding rocks as manifesting Buddhas).
south-western slope, starting from the
Yeong-shil [Spirit-room] trailhead and
marching upwards to the peak, are
known as "the Five Hundred Disciples
of Buddha" (see these pages for more on
the common-in-Korea religious concept of
outstanding rocks as manifesting Buddhas).
| 2008 newspaper shot of Royal Azalea flowers on Halla's slopes with the cone-peak in the background |
Halla-san's several lava-tube caves have always been part of why it's regarded as an especially sacred mountain
to Korean Shamanism. In 2007 they were added to UNESCO's listing of World Natural Heritage Sites, along
with the volcanic cones Baekrok-dam and Ilchul-bong. Upper Left is the entranceway of Manjang-gul [10,000
Guardians Cave], Upper-Right is the "Millennium Lake" in Yongcheon-gul [Dragon-Stream Cave], and Below is
a man meditating amongst the carbonite stalagtite/stalagmite formations of Dangcheomul Cave.
to Korean Shamanism. In 2007 they were added to UNESCO's listing of World Natural Heritage Sites, along
with the volcanic cones Baekrok-dam and Ilchul-bong. Upper Left is the entranceway of Manjang-gul [10,000
Guardians Cave], Upper-Right is the "Millennium Lake" in Yongcheon-gul [Dragon-Stream Cave], and Below is
a man meditating amongst the carbonite stalagtite/stalagmite formations of Dangcheomul Cave.
