Korean dragon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Korean dragon | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||
| Korean name | ||||||||
|
The Korean dragon is a certain type of dragon associated with Korean mythology. Like its peers, the Korean dragon is culture-specific, which means it has unique properties that differentiate it from dragons in other cultures. It is generally comparable to its Chinese counterpart in appearance and cultural significance.
Contents |
[edit] Korean dragons
Like other Oriental dragons, the Korean dragon is derived from Chinese dragon. Whereas most dragons in European mythology are generally related to the elements of fire and destruction, dragons in Korean mythology are mostly viewed as benevolent beings related to water and agriculture, often considered bringers of rain and clouds. Hence, many Korean dragons are said to have resided in rivers, lakes, oceans or even deep ponds within mountains.
It is contrived that as the Chinese dragon walked South it begans to lose toes, hence Chinese Dragons have 5 toes, Korean dragons 4 toes and Japanese dragons 3 toes. Also, as the Dragon migrates north gains toes.
The symbol of the dragon has been used extensively, both in Korean mythology and ancient Korean art. Politically, the dragon represents the Emperor, who himself was associated with rain and agriculture. Hence, those who used the title of King (Wang) were forbidden from wearing dragon adornments; the Fenghuang is the creature traditionally associated with a king.
Ancient texts sometimes mention sentient speaking dragons, capable of understanding such complex emotions such as devotion, kindness, and gratitude. One particular Korean legend speaks of the great King Munmu, who on his deathbed wished to become a "Dragon of the East Sea in order to protect Korea."
The Korean dragon was said to have certain specific traits: no wings, for example, in addition to a long beard. It is in many ways very similar in appearance to dragons of Chinese and Japanese mythology, which is not hard to understand since they all have the same Chinese origin.
Very occasionally a dragon may be depicted as carrying a dragon orb known as the Yu-Yei-Joo (여의주) in one or more of its claws. Modeled after the mythical Cintamani jewel(or, a treasure orb), it was said that whoever could wield the Yu-Yi-Joo was blessed with the abilities of omnipotence and creation at will, and that only four-toed dragons (those which had thumbs to hold the orbs) were both wise and powerful enough to wield these orbs (as opposed to the lesser, three-toed dragons).
As with Chinese dragons, the number nine is significant with Korean dragons and they are said to have 81 (9x9) scales on their backs which are of yang essiance.
Korean myths say that to become a dragon, an Imoogi (see below) must survive for a thousand years. Then a pearl shall drop from the sky. If the snake catches it in it's mouth it will become a dragon but if failed it must wait for another thousand years.
[edit] Imoogi
A close relative to the dragon is a native Korean mythological creature known as an Imugi. By one account, they are hornless creatures resembling dragons, who have been cursed and thus were unable to become dragons. By other accounts, an Imugi is a proto-dragon which must survive one thousand years in order to become a fully fledged dragon. In either case they are said to be large, benevolent, python-like creatures that live in water or caves. Their sighting is associated with good luck.
In the 21st-century Korean film titled D-War, two Imoogi were seen, one of whom took the Yu-Yei-Joo in the form of a blue crystal sphere and by this means became a dragon. In this film, however, one of the Imoogi, Buraki, (the one that failed to become a dragon) was portrayed as evil, and was killed by the one that became a dragon. It is to be noted, though, that the story established that there are MANY Imoogi and that Buraki was merely one evil Imoogi.
The Alosha series by Christopher Pike features a variation of the Imoogi called a "koul". A koul is a snakelike, gigantic proto-dragon that must pass three tests of courage — the coming to aid of others, the act of swimming, and a literal 'leap' of faith — in order to become a dragon. Upon coming to the aid of others, the koul grows legs; after having swum in water, the koul is able to breathe fire; upon making the leap, the koul immediately sprouts wings. A successful koul resembles a European dragon, whereas a koul who has completed only one or two of its tests resembles a Chinese dragon or Korean dragon of the type described above.
[edit] Korean cockatrice
The Korean cockatrice is known as a gye-ryong (계룡), which literally means chicken-dragon; they do not appear as often as dragons. They are sometimes seen as chariot-pulling beasts for important legendary figures or for the parents of legendary heroes. One such legend involves the founding of the Kingdom of Silla, whose princess was said to have been born from a cockatrice egg.
