Cheoyong (처용)
Description
Legendary figure from Silla who drove away the Plague God through dance and song. His face painted on doors wards off evil spirits and disease. Origin of Cheoyongmu dance
Origin & Background
Cheoyong is a person from the Silla dynasty during the reign of King Heongang (reigned 875 - 886).
The Legend
Cheoyong is worshipped as a deity in Korean folklore and shamanistic beliefs. According to legend, while Cheoyong was away, a malevolent spirit slept with Cheoyong's wife. Upon discovering this, Cheoyong did not become angry but instead sang and danced to the song 'Cheoyongga.' The spirit, moved by Cheoyong's character, promised not to appear again and vanished.
Variants
Since the Goryeo dynasty, there has been a belief that if a picture of Cheoyong's face is hung at the door at the beginning of the new year or during an outbreak of illness, the disease will not spread.
In Popular Culture
There are several relics and traces related to Cheoyong. In Ulsan, Uljugun, at the summit of Yeongchisan, there is Manghaesa Temple, which was built by King Heongang for the Dragon King of the East Sea, and Cheoyongam can be seen at the mouth of the Oehwanggang River and the East Sea. Additionally, in Onsan-eup, Ulsan, there is a place called Cheoyong-ri, named after Cheoyongam. The Cheoyong Cultural Festival has been held annually in Ulsan around October since 1967.
This article is based on the Wikipedia article "처용" (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia
Abilities
- 역병