Welcome to the fascinating world of Korean legends ! Today, we’ll dive into the very interesting story of the Tiger and the Bear : a tale of gods, animals, and the mythical origins of Korea. We will also explore how it transliterate Korean’s most important values.
This legend dates back to the founding of Korea, thousands of years ago. At its heart is Hwanung, the deity son of the Sky King, Hwanin. Hwanung longed to live among humans. Indeed he descended to Earth with 300 celestial spirits and settled atop Mount Taebaek. This is a sacred place in Korean mythology.
- A tiger and a bear came to Hwanung, praying beneath the sacred tree, Sindansu. They both wished to become human.
- So Hwanung gave them a test:
- They had to stay in a cave for 100 days, consuming only 20 cloves of garlic and mugwort (a medicinal herb).
- If they succeed, it would transform them into humans.
- The tiger, impatient and rebellious, quickly gave up and left the cave, unable to endure the harsh imposed conditions.
- The bear, determined and patient, stayed in the darkness, overcoming hunger and solitude.
- After 21 days (some versions say 100 days), the bear was transformed into a human woman by Hwanung, who admired her perseverance.
- Thus, she became known as, the “Bear Woman.”
In conclusion, this legend is rich in symbolism. In fact, the tiger represents impatience and arrogance. While the bear embodies perseverance and humility. These values are particularly central to Korean culture, where patience and effort are often rewarded. Moreover, the union of a heavenly deity and a mortal woman symbolizes the harmony between Heaven and Earth.