World Peace Gate is a colorful gate located at Olympic Park. It was built as a sign of peace and harmony for the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics which took place in September and October, 1988. Construction began on December 31, 1986 and was completed on August 31, 1988. It was designed by architect Kim Chung-up.
The area of the site measures in at 80 meters (262 feet) by 420 meters (1,377 feet). The roof is 62 meters (203 feet) by 37 meters (121 feet). The height is 24 meters (78 feet) high.
The mural found on the on the underside of both sides of the roof is known as “A Painting of Four Spirits“. Blue and red are used to symbolize Um and Yang, which is an oriental symbol or the universe and creativity. Four spirits guard the gate. A red phoenix guards the south, a black turtle guards the north, a white tiger guards the west, and a blue dragon guards the east. The spirits are depicted as ascending towards heaven and signifies the strength of Koreans and their freedom.
An eternal flame can be found underneath the gate along with a declaration of peace that calls for world harmony and happiness for all citizens of the world despite ideology, race, or religion.