Roof tile end

  • Korea, Three Kingdoms, Baekje, Sabi period (538–660)
    Excavated from the Mireuksa temple site, Iksan, North Jeolla province Earthenware
    Diam: 13 cm
    Iksan National Museum, mireuk 9760
    © Iksan National Museum

    This round roof tile end is adorned with a molded lotus design. The central circular pod contains seven lotus seeds, and the interior of each petal is decorated with a sprouting seed. The lotus—a symbol of purity in Buddhism—was the most popular motif across both secular and religious architecture during the Three Kingdoms period.