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Ancestor God
조상 ( 祖上 , Josang )
Josang is a god widely worshipped in Korean folk religion, which in narrow terms refers to one’s immediate ancestors or offspring, but in broader terms refers to any deceased relative or unrelated soul that can affect the family. As a household god, Josang refers to one’s immediate ancestors or offspring, but they are viewed as transcendental beings rather than blood relations. On the other hand, Josang as a shamanic god includes all immediate and extended family, both male and female, and all o
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Ancestral Household Deity
세존 ( 世尊 , Sejon )
Sejon is a household god that originated from Buddhism and alternate versions of the name include Sijun and Siju. Following the introduction of Buddhism, Korea’s folk religion and Buddhism have had significant influence on each other in many different ways. As in the case of Jeseok, Sejon was originally a Buddhist term, Bhagavat in Sanskrit, referring to the most revered one, or Buddha himself, but has been worshipped as a household god in Korean folk belief. Sejon is an ancestral deity, that of
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Backyard God
철륭 ( 凸隆 , Cheollyung )
Cheollyung is a household god believed to reside on the sauce jar terrace or other parts of the backyard of a house. Cheollyung is a deity similar in character to Teoju (Land Tutelary God), Sansin (Mountain God), Yongsin (Dragon God), Jangdoksin (Sauce Jar Deity) and other gods, worshipped as a guardian of peace in the home and for the children in the family. Worshipped mostly in South and North Jeolla provinces, this deity’s name is believed to be an altered transcription of Cheongnyong, meanin
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Boat Guardian Deity
배서낭 ( 船守郎 , Baeseonang )
Baeseonang is a boat guardian deity that oversees the safety of fishermen and is responsible for big catches on the boat. Other names for this deity include Seonwang (Jeju Island), Baeseonyeong (South Jeolla Province) and Baeseongju (Gwangwon Province), all rooted in words that are related to “god, ” “king, ” or “shrine.” Baeseonang is worshipped both as a female (Yeoseonang) or male deity (Namseonang), the latter of which is more often the case. Its gender is determined by the dream that the bo
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Gate God
문신 ( 門神 , Munsin )
Munsin, or Gate God, is a deity that invites in good fortune or keeps away evil spirits or impurities that can enter through the gate of a home. Munsin is not embodied by a specific sacred entity. On Jeju Island, however, the wooden pillars (jeongjumok) and ribs (jeongsal) that comprise the island’ s distinctive makeshift gates are believed to embody the god that is called Munjeonsin (God Outside the Gate). The practical function of this gate is to keep out cattle, and they are installed not onl
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Goblin
도깨비 ( 多怪比 , Dokkaebi )
Dokkaebi is a spirit possessing extraordinary powers and skills, using them to enchant, tease, taunt, and sometimes offer help to humans. It is believed that these spirits are formed from old discarded household tools like brooms, pokers, winnow baskets (ki), pestles and sieves, and objects stained with human blood, especially menstrual blood. Dokkaebi usually makes its appearance in dark, humid, eerie corners, mostly at nighttime but also during the day when the weather is foggy with rain. Thes
Korean Folk Beliefs -
God of Cattle and Horses
우마신 ( 牛馬神 , Umasin )
Umasin is a deity that resides in a stable or cowshed and oversees cattle and horses. Alternate names for this deity include Mabusin (Groom God) and Oeyanggansin (Stable Deity). Umasin protects cattle and horses against diseases to help them proliferate. In the past, cattle were considered very precious, and were treated with special care on the first horse and cow days in the first lunar month. The following is the entry in Dongguksesigi (A Record of the Seasonal Customs of the Eastern Kingdom)
Korean Folk Beliefs -
God of Childbirth
제석 ( 帝释 , Jeseok )
Jeseok is a household deity believed to be responsible for the conception and birth of offspring and for overseeing their fortune and longevity. It is also referred to as Jeseokjumeoni or Jeseogogari, depending on the form of sacred entity –a pouch or an earthenware jar, respectively. The name Chilseokhalmeoni, or Seven Stars Grandmother, is also used, indicating that it can be viewed as a female deity. The name Jeseok originated from Buddhism, based on the Chinese transcription of Indra (Sakra)
Korean Folk Beliefs -
God of Property
업 ( 业神 , Eop )
Eop is a deity that oversees the material possessions of a household. This household god resides in furtive corners of the house like the pantry or shed and brings material fortune. Alternate versions of its name include Eopsin, Eopwang, Eopwisin, and also jikimi (guardian) or jipjikimi (house guardian) in secular terms. Sacred entities that embody Eop include conical bundles of straw or pine needles (jujeori), while it is also identified as animals like serpents, weasels, toads, pigs, mice, eve
Korean Folk Beliefs -
Goddess of Childbearing
삼신 ( 三神 , Samsin )
Samsin is the goddess of childbearing, a shamanic deity and household god that oversees the birth and growth of children. It is believed that humans are born with the blessing of Samsin, and their lifespan is determined by Chilseong (Seven Stars). Samsin is also called Grandmother Samsin, Grandfather Samsin, Grandmother Sejun or Grandmother Jiang, Jiang and Sejun referring to Jewang and Sejon, respectively, both deities originated from Buddhism and related to the god of childbirth Jeseok. The or
Korean Folk Beliefs
