Queen Hur Hwang-ok, also known by her Indian name Suriratna (or Sriratna), is a legendary figure chronicled in the Samguk Yusa, a 13th-century Korean historical record. According to legend, she was the first Queen of Geumgwan Gaya, marrying King Suro at the age of sixteen after a remarkable voyage from a distant land known as Ayuta, believed by many scholars to correspond to Ayodhya in India.
 

A Divine Journey Across the Sea

The story begins with a divine dream. One night, Queen Hur's parents dreamed of a heavenly being who revealed that their daughter was destined to marry a sacred king in a distant land. This king—Suro of Gaya—had not yet chosen a queen. Following the divine message, they prepared their daughter for a long sea journey.

After two months at sea, Princess Suriratna’s ship reached the shores of Gaya (present-day Gimhae, South Korea). The ship, adorned with red sails and a red flag, was spotted by a royal envoy sent by King Suro, who had also received a divine message about his future bride.

Arrival in Gaya

Princess Hur arrived with a grand entourage:

• Two trusted courtiers, Sin Po and Jo Gwang, accompanied by their wives Mojong and Moryang.

• Twenty attendants bearing gifts of gold, silver, gems, brocade, and fine tableware.

Two trusted courtiers, Sin Po and Jo Gwang, accompanied by their wives Mojong and Moryang.

Twenty attendants bearing gifts of gold, silver, gems, brocade, and fine tableware.

At first, she refused to accompany unfamiliar officials, so King Suro arranged a ceremonial tent to receive her near the palace. Before their marriage, Queen Hur offered her silk garments to the mountain spirit in a symbolic act of reverence and humility.

King Suro, acknowledging the divine origin of their meeting, declined all other marriage candidates previously proposed by his court.

A Royal Union and Enduring Legacy

Their union marked the beginning of a new royal lineage. The couple had ten sons and two daughters. At Queen Hur’s request, two of the sons took her surname "Hur," while the others took "Kim," after King Suro—thus giving rise to both the Gimhae Kim and Gimhae Heo clans. These lineages form the ancestral roots of millions of Koreans today.

Queen Hur lived a long life and is believed to have passed away in 189 AD at the age of 157 (according to the lunar calendar). She was posthumously honored with the title Boju Taehou (보주태후, 普州太后).

Memorials in Two Lands

Today, Queen Hur Hwang-ok is remembered in both Korea and India:

• Her tomb lies in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, Korea.

• A memorial park was built in Ayodhya, India, commemorating her as a symbol of ancient Korea–India ties.

Her tomb lies in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, Korea.

A memorial park was built in Ayodhya, India, commemorating her as a symbol of ancient Korea–India ties.

Her story continues to inspire as a powerful narrative of love, spiritual destiny, and international cultural exchange.

Pasa stone pagoda at the bottom of the tomb of Queen Hur

[고려사이버대 고려특강] 김수로왕과 허황옥 공주 - 김병모 고려문화재연구원 이사장
[Goryeo Cyber University Special Lecture] King Kim Su-ro and Princess Hur HwangOk
Kim Byung-mo, President of the Goryeo Cultural Heritage Research Institute

Journey of Queen Heo Hwang-ok_ India to Korea.wav