The stone guardians at the royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty include figures of sheep, tigers, and horses. There majestic stone guardians, designed to protect the tombs, are symbols of auspiciousness. Among them, sheep and tigers are positioned on the right and left of the tombs, four on each sides. To protect the tombs from attacks, these animals stand with their back to the tombs, watching over the surrounding area. Such an arrangement emphasizes their role of always standing by the dead king to prevent calamities. The stone guardians of Joseon ’s royal tombs are closely related to many other stone sculptures of that era. Consequently, it is also possible to compare them with those of China. The most similar cases are the royal tomb of Li Wen Zhong (1339~1384), and the royal tomb of Xu Da (1332~1385), who contributed to the founding of the Ming Empire. In other words, the stone sculptures of Joseon’s royal tombs are for lower ranked tombs than those of emperors. However, several elements differentiate the tombs of Joseon from those of Ming. First, Joseon’s stone animals are placed on the sides of the tombs, near the dead kings, whereas those of Ming are located on the left and right sides of the path leading to the tombs. Second, there are twice as many stone sculptures at Joseon tombs as there are at Ming tombs. Third, stone lanterns, folding screen stones and banister stones have also been found at Joseon’s tombs. In short, although the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty were influenced by the royal tomb of King Gongmin of the Goryeo Dynasty based on the styles of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties; they also display features of the traditional culture of Unified Silla and Goryeo in terms of the different number, arrangement and types of stone sculptures. At Joseon’s tombs, the stone sheep, which are depicted standing, symbolize filial piety and auspiciousness. When positioned inside the tombs, they also take roles as victims sacrificed to communicate with heaven and as auspicious guardians intended to drive out bad spirits. The tigers, which are sitting, take roles as protectors of the tombs from evil. They are gallant and auspicious animals which were meant to drive out demons and defend the tombs. Meanwhile, the horses, which are standing, have meaning as ascension and defense. The stone guardians of Joseon’s tombs are divided into five groups according to their changing styles. Each group corresponds to a particular century. In the 15th century, the shape of the stone animals was fixed, thus setting certain rules for subsequent centuries. The guardians of the Geonwolleung royal tombs (1408) of King Taejo represent this period, which is characterized by natural body proportions and delicate curves. The guardians of the sixteenth century are huge, imposing, more vividly carved, and dynamic. The most representative examples of this century are the stone guardians of the Hyoreung royal tomb (1545) and those of the Gangneung royal tomb (1567) of King Myeongjong. In this era, their roles as protectors from evil were emphasized. In the seventeenth century, the sculptures become flat and schematized, while their faces became clearer, with greater detail. Examples from this period include the Ingneung royal tomb (1681) of Queen Ingyeong and the Sungneung royal tomb (1659) of King Hyeonjong. The 18th century in Korea is marked by the Renaissance and the popularity of realistic styles. The Yungneung royal tomb (1789) of Crown Prince Sado and the Geolleung royal tomb (1800) of King Jeongjo, whose stone animals have stable body proportions, sophisticated curves and delicate details, were made in that century. The stone guardians at the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty are symbols of auspiciousness, playing roles as protectors, thus expressing the authority and status of the country’s leader more symbolically and successfully than any other stone objects at the royal tombs. In short, the stone sculptures of Joseon ’s royal tombs constitute the essence of the Korean royal family’s unique stone art, which combines characteristics originating from both Korea and China.