Muninseok (stone statue of civil officials)

Muninseok (stone statue of civil officials)
Muninseok is a human-shaped stone sculpture. Along with Janggunseok and other animal-shaped stone sculptures, Muninseok were made to protect tombs against evil spirits. Muninseok are portrayed as wearing official hats and holding a Hol, an object held by courtiers when they were addressing the king.

The custom of placing Muninseok around tombs dates back to the Han dynasty of China. On the Korean peninsula, this custom can be traced right back to the Silla Kingdom (BC 57-AD 935), which was influenced by the Tang dynasty of China, although it continued to the Joseon Dynasty (AD 1391-1910).
Muninseok not only exhibit the sculpture styles of the periods in which they were made, but also inform us about the changes that took place in the construction of ancient tombs in Korea.