Korean roofing style, a national ICH element
August 27, 2026The resourcefulness and wisdom of the Korean people are also reflected in architecture.
A typical example is the Korean roofing style, a national intangible cultural heritage element.
The Korean roofing style is the modes of forming roofs and their shapes that have long been refined and consolidated to suit the aesthetic tastes of the Korean people.
The Korean-style roofs are divided into gable, shed, hip-saddle roofs, etc. according to their forms.
They are marked by elegant and beautiful curves.
The Pohyon Temple, a historical relic in Mt Myohyang, shows the distinguished architectural skills and good artistic skills.
The Taeung Hall, the biggest and most splendid building of the temple, is well balanced by the not-so-high walls and a hip-saddle roof with soft curves.
The Korean ancestors built roofs and pillars with unique and slight curves and curved surfaces for buildings and decorated them with soft, gentle and bright colours.
The formative representation of the elegant Korean-style roofs has steadily developed to be able to symbolically express the optimistic sentiments and resourcefulness of the Korean people.
The Korean roofing style was widely applied to such monumental edifices as the Grand People’s Study House, the People’s Palace of Culture and the Okryu Restaurant in the capital city of Pyongyang.
THE PYONGYANG TIMES