This stele was first raised in front of the Tomb of King Taejong Muyeol, the 29th ruler of Silla, in 661. Steles built during the Unified Silla Period were influenced by China’s Tang Dynasty, and so they usually consisted of a tortoise-shaped pedestal with an ornamental capstone in the form of a dragon. The Stele for King Taejong Muyeol is an example of one of the first monuments to display this style. Currently, the body of the stele is lost, and only the tortoise-shaped pedestal and the capstone are preserved. The tortoise extends its head high towards the sky and extends its legs in a forward motion. There are large honeycomb-shaped hexagonal carvings on its back, and lotus designs are carved around the stele’s seat. The ornamental capstone has three dragon carvings on either side, which are intertwined with each other to form a support for a magical orb. The Chinese characters inscribed at the center of the front side clearly show to whom the stele is dedicated to. The tortoise-shaped pedestal and the capstone display realistic and vital expressions, suggesting the energetic spirit of the Silla people, who succeeded in unifying the three kingdoms. This stele is regarded as one of the finest masterpieces not only of Korea, but also of Asia, which can be attributed to the highly advanced stone carving skills of that time.