Where can you find the distinctive statues known in English as “grandfather stones”?

These mysterious stone statues, called ‘Dol Hareubang’, are located off the southern coast of South Korea, on Jeju Island. The name literally means grandfather made of stone. It comes from Jeju’s dialect; ‘dol’ is ‘stone’ in Korean and ‘hareubang’ means ‘grandfather’ in Jeju. The statues have been called by this name informally across the island for many years, but it was only as recently as 1971 that the ‘Dol Hareubang’ were recognized as folk heritage and officially named.

The meaning and origins of the figures are unclear, but the 10-foot (3 m) grandfather stones are generally accepted to be guardians protecting the island from evil spirits. They may have originated as part of Jeju Island’s shamanic history, or they could possibly be related to totems found on the mainland. What researchers do know, is that they were carved from porous volcanic rock sometime in the 18th century, and dozens of them can be found scattered across the island.

‘Dol hareubangs’ have become the symbol of Jeju Island, and replicas of various sizes are sold as tourist souvenirs.

The statues are sometimes sold as sources of fertility, and small replicas may be given to women with fertility problems. However, the origin of the fertility custom may have more to do with the island’s present-day status as a "honeymoon island" than ancient tradition.