A large, naturally occurring mass of stone.

Origin: The word '바위' (bawi) originates from Middle Korean '바위' (pwoy), which itself comes from the Old Korean form '부이' (buy). The word '부이' is believed to be an ancient native Korean term for rock or stone, showing no direct borrowing from Chinese or other languages.Historical and Cultural Context: The first attestations of '바위' in Korean literature can be traced back to historical texts and poems where rocks were often depicted as symbols of strength and endurance. In Korean folklore, certain rocks have been considered sacred and are associated with various myths and legends.Evolution: Over time, the pronunciation shifted slightly due to phonetic changes, but the core meaning has remained consistent. The term '바위' is cognate with other Korean words for natural elements, sharing a common theme of representing the earth's immovable and solid aspects.Modern Relevance: Today, '바위' is used to describe geological formations and is also found in idiomatic expressions like '바위처럼 단단하다' (as solid as a rock), denoting reliability and steadfastness.

In Korea, there is a famous rock called '돌하르방' (Dol Hareubang), which are large stone statues found on Jeju Island believed to offer protection and fertility.