Queen Seondeok

Silla’s first queen regnant (r. 632–647)

Hangul · Hanja: 선덕여왕 · 善德女王

History

Her reign saw Bunhwangsa (634) and the nine-storey pagoda of Hwangnyongsa (645) built, and Cheomseongdae is also dated to her time.

Legend

Tales of her foresight are told: she knew from a painting without butterflies that the peonies would have no scent, and she named the day of her death and the place she would be buried.

Places in Gyeongju

Tomb of Queen Seondeok
Cheomseongdae Observatory
Bunhwangsa Temple
Hwangnyongsa Temple Site, Gyeongju

Sources · Samguk sagi · Samguk yusa

Other people of Silla

Bak Hyeokgeose · Aryeong · Seok Talhae · Kim Al-ji · Ichadon · Kim Chun-chu (King Taejong Muyeol) · Kim Yu-sin · King Munmu · Wonhyo · Kim Dae-seong