Smile of Silla: How ancient tile became face of APEC 2025

As Gyeongju prepares to host the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (57 BCE-935 CE) is shining a spotlight on one of its most iconic artifacts: a sumaksae, or roof-end tile, featuring a gentle human face, widely known as the “Smile of Silla.” Also called the “millennium smile” for capturing the long-lasting spirit of Silla, the tile was chosen for the official emblem for APEC events. It represents Korea’s message of warmth, harmony and enduring spirit as it welcomes leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region. Smile for a thousand years The tile was discovered in the early 20th century at the site where Yeongmyo Temple once stood. Measuring just 11.5 centimeters in diameter, the tile may be small, but it holds extraordinary cultural and emotional value. It was more than just a decorative ornament — the tile also served a practical purpose capping off the ends of traditional Silla-era roofs. Unlike most end tiles from the period, which were mass-produced using molds, this particular piece was sculpted by hand,Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times