환웅

CreatureKorea · East AsiaLegendFear 5/10

Description

한국 설화에 등장하는 Creature. Hwanung (Korean for the "Supreme Divine Regent") is an important figure in the mythological origins

The Legend

Hwanung is an important figure in Korean mythology, playing a central role in the legendary founding story of Dangun Wanggeom. Hwanung is the son of Hwanin (the Lord of Heaven). He established laws and morals with his ministers of clouds, rain, and wind, and taught humanity various arts, medicine, and agriculture.

Hwanung wished to live on earth, between mountains and valleys. Hwanin allowed Hwanung and his 3,000 followers to descend from heaven, and they arrived at the sandalwood tree on Baekdu Mountain. Hwanung built a divine city (sinshi) there and proclaimed himself the king of heaven. Additionally, Hwanin bestowed three heavenly seals upon Hwanung to commemorate his descent from heaven.

In a cave near the sandalwood tree lived a bear and a tiger, who prayed to Hwanung every day. One day, Hwanung gave the bear and the tiger 20 cloves of garlic and sacred mugwort, promising that if they avoided sunlight and only ate his garlic and mugwort for 100 days, he would turn them into humans. The tiger, being too hungry and impatient, could not wait the 100 days and left the cave, but the bear stayed and transformed into a beautiful woman on the 21st day. She offered a thank-you sacrifice to Hwanung, and as time passed, feeling lonely, she prayed to Hwanung for a child. Hwanung took her as his wife and gave her a son named Dangun, who would go on to establish Gojoseon.