• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.142-146
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• 2012

Records regarding to magnetism in the written Korean history were surveyed. In this article, we depicted how the magnetism (magnet) was understood by the public in the past in the Korea. The records about magnetism could be chronically categorized into three eras; 1) an era of recognizing a magnetic characteristics, 2) era of recognizing a magnetic pole, and 3) era of acquiring a modern knowledge. The written history of the Silla dynasty (BC57-AD935) revealed that a magnet was produced in this era. However, no record about magnet was found in the written history of the Goryo dynasty (918-1392). It was revealed that throughout the Korean history the interest in the magnetism (magnet) was emphasized most in the Josun dynasty (1392-1910). The magnetism (magnet) was most widely exploited in a geomancy. A magnetic compass was used widely to find a merciful direction and place in everyday life. In the era of Josun dynasty, a magnet was exploited as a magnetic compass for a navigation over the sea. An interesting usage of the magnet in the Josun dynasty was found in the pharmaceutical purpose.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.144-148
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• 2013

Until the discovery of universal gravitation, a magnet had been considered to be a unique and magical stuff which exhibited an interacting force between two objects separated afar. Perhaps because of this belief, magnets were used widely as a medicinal stuff in East-Asia. In the present article, the records regarding the applications of a magnet for oriental medicine in written Korean history were surveyed. The records were categorized in terms of efficacy, prescription, and clinical case of taking-medicine. The records revealed that a magnet was used as an important component in the medicine for curing kidney filtering failure. Magnet was also prescribed to heal heart problems. Typical magnet-containing medicines included the SHINRYUKTANG, JIHWANGTANG, and INSAMBAEKHOTANG. Interestingly, it was revealed that some of the kings (Hyojong, Yungjo) in the era of Josun dynasty (1392-1910) believed the efficacy of the magnet-containing medicine and took it for curing their health problems.