Chapter 7: Subak and Hwrang

The glorious days of the Hwarang warrior were gone. The poet Siro (692-702 AD) captures the emotions and sense of loss many Koreans felt toward the lost glory days of the Hwarang warriors:

All men sorrow and lament
Over the spring that is past;
Your face once bright and fair,
Where has it gone with deep furrows?
I must glimpse you,
Even for an awesome moment.
My fervent mind cannot rest at night,
In the hollow rank with mugwort.
Note: Mugwort refers to the tomb of the Hwarang warrior, whose passing, along with the greatness of his Hwarang brothers, is lamented by the poet.

Modern Koreans still remember the contributions the Hwarang made to Korean history. The campus at the Korean Military Academy near Seoul is known as "Hwarang-dae" (Hwarang hill). Koreans look to the golden age of Silla and the exploits of its great Hwarang warriors as exemplars of all that is honorable, just, and courageous.