Chilseongsin (칠성신)

DeityKorea · East AsiaMythFear 2/10

Description

A shamanic deity governing the Big Dipper constellation who determines human lifespan and fate. Worshipped by mothers praying for their children's health and longevity. Offerings of clean water are placed on the soy sauce jar platform under the stars.

Origin & Background

Chilseongshin is a deity in Korean mythology that governs rain and is responsible for human longevity and wealth. This deity is personified by the Big Dipper, and is primarily worshipped in the Chilseonggak or Samseonggak of Korean Buddhist temples. Chilseongshin is considered a fusion of Korean shamanism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

The Legend

Chilseongshin is a deity that governs rain and is responsible for human longevity and wealth, personified by the Big Dipper. In Jeju Island, the mainland's rain deity is referred to as Chilseongshin and appears in the form of a snake, governing wealth. The snake deity is believed to have a role similar to that of the Big Dipper in overseeing human life and fate, hence the name Chilseongshin.

Variants

According to the Chilseong bonpuri passed down in Jeju Island, a Chinese couple who could not have children eventually give birth to a daughter. The daughter leaves to find her parents and meets a monk, becoming pregnant. In anger, her parents place her in a stone box and set her adrift in the sea. She gives birth to seven snakes in the ocean and eventually transforms into a snake herself. They arrive at Jeju Jocheon and are initially scorned by the local haenyeo (female divers), but are later recognized as divine beings, recovering from illness and gaining wealth.

In Popular Culture

On the night of Chilseok, the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, there is a ritual where women prepare food and pray for the well-being of their families. In Chungcheongbuk-do, it is believed that Chilseongshin brings prosperity to families, and women, usually led by grandmothers, perform rituals in the backyard. Additionally, Chilseonggut is a shamanistic ritual wishing for longevity, and in Pyeongan-do and Hwanghae-do, shamans influenced by Buddhism wear a jangsam (traditional robe) over their clothes while performing.

This article is based on the Wikipedia article "Chilseongsin" (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia