• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.49
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• pp.229-263
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• 2024

The purpose of this article is to elucidate the origins of the symbolic significance of traditional Korean talismanic ornaments such as dried pollack, bokjori (luck-bringing strainer), silk threads, and sokotture (a nose-block). Previous studies have primarily interpreted the magical meanings of these ornaments based on their shapes or functions, but such approaches are limited due to this likely being an ex-post-facto interpretation. This study argues that the symbolic meanings of these ornaments originated from the socio-economic characteristics of the time. These items were food resources or products closely related to the economic activities of the people of the time, and therefore, could be considered symbols of abundance and fortune. In particular, dried pollack served as an important food resource and commodity during the Late Joseon Dynasty, even functioning as a quasi-currency, and considering that fish are seen as symbols of abundance and fertility in various cultures around the world, its symbolic significance becomes clearer. Bokjori and sokotture acquired the meaning of abundance by being associated with major goods or properties of the time such as rice and cattle, and silk thread was linked to sericulture, a significant source of income for farmers of the time. These economic characteristics form the basis of the symbolism of these ornaments, and the function of these talismans can be seen as a secondary symbolism added in the process of social justification of these customs. This study reveals that economic motives underlie magical-religious customs and suggests that a broad consideration of the cultural and ecological environment of the time is necessary to understand the origins and transformations of cultural phenomena.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.34
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• pp.138-171
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• 2001

This paper, based on the filed survey conducted from August 14 to 21, 2000, examines the architectural characteristics of traditional dwellings of Sujeonchon(수전촌, 水田村) village. Sujeonchon village is located on the northen slope of Changbaishan Mt., Andohyun(안도현, 安圖縣) of jilin Province(吉林省), a province in the northeastern region of China. The village was established between late 1940's and early 1950's by the Korean-Chinese. Later on, some of the Korean-Chinese residents moved out of the village and presently, the residents are composed of both the Korean-Chinese and the Chinese consisting about fifty-fifty. Since the cultural background and the living custom are different from each other ethnic group, that is, the Korean-Chinese and the Chinese, their dwellings reveal some differences between them. Through the study, the architectural characteristics and distinctions of the Korean-Chinese and Chinese dwellings are found and summarized as follows: 1.The way of building layout is different between them: the Chinese mainly follows the north-south direction of building layout, while the Korean-Chinese considers the surrounding environmental condition. 2.The floor level of kitchen is different between them: that of the Chinese house is same as the outdoor earth level, while that of the Korean-Chinese is lower than the outdoor level. 3.The way of providing the kitchen space is different between them: the kitchen of the Chinese house is consist of one separate room, while that of the Korean-Chinese is open to the living area. 4.The way of heating system is different between them: the Chinese house has kang only at the sleeping area, while the Korean-Chinese install whole under-floor heating of gudeul in the living area. 5.The attitude to the way of building is different between them: the Chinese are easily adapt to the new building materials and construction method, while the Korean-Chinese are showing strong attachment to the traditional way of building. 6.The houses of the Chinese and the Korean-Chinese have their own traditional ornaments and talismans on and in the building.

• Archives of design research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2004

From the aspect that design should respond to the necessity of various cultural bases, design is important to be grafted to Korean traditional culture. This circumstance leads this study to clarify the plan of multimedia contents development of 'paintings and original forms of shaman spirit' in Korean shamanism as one of realistic re-illumination works for Korean cultural original forms. The main study results are conduded as followings through literature reviews, internet searches and case studies. First, 'the planning process' necessary for the development of scenarios, characters and multimedia contents are suggested based on the establishment of hierarchy structure among shaman spirits which are classified into necromancer, human being, nature and life after death. Second, relating to execution of process above, it is suggested that 'the strategic. plan by business items and its genres' such as blessing fancy goods, characters for mobile or game, scenarios for game or animation, online digital exorcisms, e-cards, e-talismans and so on. Finally, as future industrialization concerns, 'the industrial development plan' is suggested which can be extended to scenario-based original businesses such as game scenarios for online or mobile and heroism fictions. The study results highlight the fact that multimedia design approach are considered for expanding the target and scope of creative material for Korean cultural original forms. Future researches, based on the results of the study, are expected to be expanded to the various designerly-thinking approaches into 'Shaman' themes and rather to be re-illuminated to the development of Korean cultural original forms as a nation's strategic standpoint.