• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.347-358
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• 2004

In Mongolia which consists of nomadic populations, horse has been loved by nomads and considered most important transportation means. Horses have been used when they were making long journey looking for new plain ground for grazing. Therefore, horse is closely connected with Mongolian nomadic culture. In Korea, too, horses had been considered one of most important means for transportation and military. The symbolism of horse that is represented in both Mongolia and Korea is Heavenly Horse which communicates with the God and it was sanctified as a Sacrificing Horse which was sent to God for sacrifice, and it was even worshiped as Divine Horse, the diety. As is the case of two of Mongolian customs associated with Mongolian language are 'the ceremony of horse's giving birth her young' and 'the ceremony of letting the mare go where it was before', all the cases are related with cattle's milk. The ceremony of 'horse's giving birth her young' is the ceremony where people hope that they would see the young can grow well which were born in early summer thus increasing the numbers of horse. To go with this, they perform a ceremony of Chachal in which they sprinkle the best quality white milk which is the symbol of good luck and hope they would produce plentiful of dairy products. The ceremony of 'letting the mare go where it was before' is also the ceremony where people hope to have many new born young horses thus produce more dairy products and Airag for the next year as milking is no more available for that you. Since the unified Silla Era, Koreans have performed a sacrifice rituals to horse in auspicious day. It's purpose is to see their horses get no disease and bear as many youngs as possible. The Back Ins Je, one of well blown festivals in Jeju Island, was originated from people's wish to prosper in stock farming. It can be said that the custom of Korea and Mongolia related with horse's giving birth was originated from the wishes to god for fertility and fecundity. On top of that, while Mongolians sprinkled horse's milk both on the ground and to the air hoping they would have increased houses and, thus, secure many dairy products, Koreans wish that they would see the increased number of horses and their healthy conditions through heavenly rituals.