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Abandoned Princess Bari
바리공주 ( 钵里公主 , Barigongju )
The shamanic myth“ Barigongju” narrates the origins of an underworld deity and is recited as part of deathappeasing shamanic rites including the underworld entry rituals jinogigut, ogugut, mangmugigut and the grievance cleansing ritual ssitgimgut. The following version of“ Barigongju” is considered one of the most complete: Jusanggeummama (His Majesty the King) and Jungjeonbuin (Lady Queen) are to be wed, but when they seek the advice of Dajibaksa of Cheonhagung (Palace Under Heaven), he imposes
Korean Folk Literature -
Earthenware Steamer Narrative
시루말 ( 甑子本解 , Sirumal )
The shamanic myth“ Sirumal (Earthenware Steamer Narrative), ”belonging to the category of universe creation myths, is performed as part of the second segment in the Twelve-Segment Ritual (Yeoldugeorigut), transmitted in the Busan-dong neighborhood of Osan, Gyeonggi Province. The following is a summary of a version of this myth recorded during the Japanese colonial period: Dangchilseong, of Cheonhagung (Palace Under Heaven), descends to Jihagung (Palace Underground) chasing after fugitives on the
Korean Folk Literature -
Founding Myth
건국신화 ( 建国神话 , Geonguksinhwa )
Geonguksinhwa, or founding myths, are sacred narratives of a nation’s origins. Ancient states created epic poems that narrated the story of the kingdom’s founding to be performed as part of state rituals and proclaimed publicly for the purpose of emphasizing the sacred origins of the state. When history began to be documented in written form, the orally transmitted epics were recorded, generally in prose form, as the opening sections of national history. These documented narratives of a state’s
Korean Folk Literature -
Grandmother Mago
마고할미 ( 麻姑婆婆 , Magohalmi )
The myth of Magohalmi tells the story of a giant goddess who created all of nature and its geographical formations of this universe. Giant goddess Magohalmi carried mud in her skirt and created mountains and islands. Her urine and excrement formed hills and rivers. Big rocks in various villages were placed there by Magohalmi’s hands or whips. Magohalmi’s body was so immense that 90, 000 pil of hemp was not enough to clothe her. She was so tall she walked across the seas off the island Wando, and
Korean Folk Literature -
Grandmother Seolmundae
설문대할망 ( 雪门黛婆婆 , Seolmun- daehalmang )
This oral myth from Jeju Island is about a goddess of immense size and strength named Seolmundaehalmang, who created the island by shoveling mud from the seabed. Some ancient records refer to this goddess as Samandugo or Seonmago, and oral variants of the name include Seolmanduhalmang, Seolmyeongjihalmang and Semyeongjuhalmang. In the beginning of the universe, in Tamna, lived Seolmundaehalmang, the biggest and the strongest being in the whole world. One day, as she was sleeping, the granny sat
Korean Folk Literature -
Myth of Bak Hyeokgeose
박혁거세신화 ( 朴赫居世神话 , Bakhyeokgeosesinhwa )
The myth“ Bakhyeokgeosesinhwa ”tells the story of Bak Hyeokgeose, founder of the kingdom of Silla. Ancestors of the six bu (enclaves) of the state of Jinhan gathered at Alcheon Hill with their respective offspring, with an aim to appoint a virtuous king to found a new kingdom and its capital. They climbed up high and looked down toward the south, where at the foot of Yangsan, by a well called Najeong, they witnessed a strange lightning-like glow from the sky illuminating the earth, next to which
Korean Folk Literature -
Myth of Dangun
단군신화 ( 檀君神话 , Dangunsinhwa )
“Dangunsinhwa ”is the first sovereignty myth in Korean mythology, which tells the story of the founding of Korea’s first kingdom Gojoseon. The myth of Dangun is recorded as follows in the section on Gojoseon in the chapter“ Gii (Records of Marvels) ”of Samgungnyusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms): A long time ago, Hwanin, the God of the Heavens, noticed that his son Hwanung was nurturing interest in the human world under the heavens, and as Hwanin gazed down at the area around Mt. Taebaek, h
Korean Folk Literature -
Myth of General Im Gyeong-eop
임경업장군당신화 ( 林庆业将军堂神话 , Imgyeongeop janggundangsinhwa )
The myth“ Imgyeongeopjanggundangsinhwa ” narrates the story of the deification General Im Gyeong-eop (1594-1646), war hero of late Joseon. When Qing China invaded Joseon in 1636, its troops landed on the Korean peninsula instead of the northern land route for fear of General Im Gyeongeop. But they succeeded in defeating Joseon, taking a large number of hostages, including the crown prince and other princes, back to China. Im Gyeongeop set out after them on a boat to take revenge, accompanied by
Korean Folk Literature -
Myth of Haemosu
해모수신화 ( 解慕漱神话 , Haemosusinhwa )
“ Haemosusinhwa ”narrates the story of Haemosu, the progenitor of North Buyeo and the father of Jumong, founder and progenitor of Goguryeo. Haemosu was the son of Cheonje (Celestial Emperor), who descended to earth to rule the human world, wearing a hat made of crow feathers on his head; carrying on his waist the dragon light sword ( yonggwanggeom); riding a carriage pulled by five dragons; and accompanied by a hundred men riding swans. The region from which he descended had originally been rule
Korean Folk Literature -
Myth of Jumong
주몽신화 ( 朱蒙神话 , Jumongsinhwa )
The myth “Jumongsinhwa” narrates the story of the birth and life of Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo. Mythological records on Jumong can be found in a number of books, among which the accounts in Gusamguksa (Old History of the Three Kingdoms) and“ Goguryeobongi (Records of Goguryeo) ”are most detailed and richest in mythical elements, bringing together many different versions of the tale to form a new and magnificent narrative of national foundation. Jumong is born to Haemosu and Yuhwa when Cheon
Korean Folk Literature
