Hareubang known as "Grandfather Statues" can be seen all over Jeju Island in South Korea.
These odd-looking statues are carved from the porous basalt volcanic rock of Jeju and are found outside homes, on bridges and now in the foyers of hotels and in front of restaurants and shops.
Though the origins and symbolism of the Hareubang statues is obscure it is thought they are guardian gods of homes and may also have a phallic (hence fertility) symbolism. The mushroom shape of the carvings may also be associated with an ancient magic mushroom cult practiced by shamans on Jeju Island.
Hareubang of various sizes can be purchased in souvenir stores throughout Jeju as garden ornaments, phone straps or keyrings. Bukchon Dol Hareubang Park on Jeju has a collection of 48 Dol Hareubang and information on these curious carvings.
"Black Pork" from the meat of black pigs is a specialty of Jeju Island off the south west coast of South Korea.
Traditionally the porkers were kept in volcanic stone pens to be slaughtered for special occasions such as weddings, births and funerals.
Black Pork is eaten in kebabs and as a barbecue, traditionally roasted over charcoal with garlic.
Up until the 1960s in some areas of Jeju Island the pigs were human waste disposers, with latrines emptying into their sties, as the image of a stone statue at Geumneung Stone Garden graphically shows below.
