• Journal of Daesoon Thought and the Religions of East Asia
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.73-99
• /
• 2023

The dragon is a special imaginary figure created by the people of East Asia. Its archetypes appeared primarily as totemic symbols of different tribes and groups in the region. The formation of early dynasties probably generated the molding of the dragon symbol. Dragon symbols carried deep imprints of nature. They concealed alternative messages of how ancient people at different locations dealt with or interacted with nature. Under pressure to standardize in the medieval and late imperial periods, the popular dragon had to transform physically and ideologically. It became imposed, unified, and framed, conveying ideas of caste classification and power, and losing itsecological implications. The dragon transitioned from a semi-ecological domain into a total social caste system. However, many people considered the "standardized" dragon as the symbol of the oppressor. Because of continuous orthopraxy and calls for imperial reverence, especially under orthopractic agenda and the surveillance of local elites, the popularized dragon was imbued within local artworks or hidden under the sanctity of Buddhas or popular gods in order to survive. Through disguise, the popular dragon partially maintained its ecological narratives. When the imperial dynasties ended in East Asia (1910 in Korea, 1911 in China, 1945 in Vietnam), the dragon was dramatically decentralized. However, trends of re-standardization and re-centralization have emerged recently in China, as the country rises in the global arena. In this newly-emerging "re-orthopraxy", the dragon has been superimposed with a more externally political discourse ("soft power" in international relations) rather than the old-style standardization for internal centralization in the late imperial period. In the contemporary world, science and technology have advanced humanity's ability to improve the world; however, it seems that people have abused science and technology to control nature, consequently damaging the environment (pollution, global warming, etc.). The dragon symbol needs to be re-defined, "re-molded", re-evaluated and reinterpreted accordingly, especially under the newly-emerging lens-the New Confucian "anthropocosmic" view.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.858-874
• /
• 2020

This study attempts to analyze the social and cultural meanings of the ethnic groups to which different types of shamans belong in Siberia from the appearance characteristics in terms of clothing through Roland Barthes's semiotic theory. The research method here is to analyze three types of shaman costume classified by Holmberg, which are bird-type, deer-type, and bear-type, through theoretical research and to investigate the analysis process of Roland Barthes's semiotics theory. Roland Barthes's approach to semiotics presents an analysis model that can explore the sociocultural meaning of the Siberian shaman costume. The research results are as follows. In the first type, to be closer to the god of the upperworld, shamans transform themselves into birds by decorating their costumes with the characteristic elements of birds such as feathers and wings. In the second type, the shamans' costumes are made of deerskin, and the headdress is shown in the shape of antlers to make it easier to receive messages from the upperworld and run fast in the underworld. In the third type, the shaman's costume is made of bearskin, the head is covered with bearskin, and the body is decorated with bear pendants. Through the power of the bear, the shaman is sent to the underworld to defeat evil gods and remove diseases. Shamans can show their particularity of being a demigod and non-binary gender through clothing. They use this to reflect their authority as a medium of communication between man and god.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.400-410
• /
• 2017

Bactria was the intersection of transportation between Greece-Iran and Central Asia at the Silk Road. This kingdom was Greek in all of its ruling classes. Because the Greek culture of Bactria spread to India and the east, Bactria was a very important place in ancient civilizations. The purpose of this study is to understand the life and the various cultures of Bactria and the influence of Greek culture on the costumes of Bactria. The research method was approached through the analysis of the empirical data. Data on antiquities were analyzed in European exhibition catalogs and secondary data collected from Internet. The results of this study are as follows: First, the original costume of Bactria was identified in two styles in the reliefs of the Persian Achaemenid. One is the tunic jacket sarapis that goes down to the knee and wide trousers with half-length boots. The other is the Scythian style trousers that looks like a barrel in a Sarapis. Second, in the Bactrian coin depicting the bust of the Bactrians, the hair styles and headgear of the Bactrian kings were analyzed. The Bactrians wore braids with short curly hair and wore Macedonian hats and helmets on them. Third, the relics excavated from the ruins of Ai-Khanuom depicted the forms of the ruling classes of Bactria. The dress styles and hair styles of gods and priests were imitating the form of the Greek costume as it is.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
• /
• v.35
• /
• pp.185-214
• /
• 2014

This paper presents an investigation into the forms of master archer Huhdai Mergen from Mongolian mythology and his character through archery. In Mongolian mythology, master archer Huhdai Mergen is usually connected to the regulation of the sun, the moon, and the stars in Heaven and the creation of stars. Such a series of acts are conducted through archery, which used to be performed as an incantatory ritual to resolve a disaster in life, dispel an evil spirit, and pray for affluence as well as for hunting. In Mongolian mythology, Huhdai Mergen is a master archer and hunter that rises to Heaven while hunting a deer and becomes Sirius with the deer becoming Orion. The Mongolian have believed that the two constellations protect them since ancient times. While Orion is related to the deer totem, Huhdai Mergen or Sirius is related to the wolf totem faith. Huhdai Mergen takes too much pride in his archery skills and ends up causing damage to himself, which can be understood as a pattern of controlling the power of personified Huhdai Mergen through excessive natural force. He also has something to do with Polaris, which is regarded as the stake to bind his horse to by the Mongolian. They also believe that their ancestral gods reside in the horse stake or column. The stake is the residence of Huhdai Mergen protecting the Mongolian people, which reflects his aspect as an ancestral god. He is also depicted as the god of thunder and lightning born in a cow. The stones he throws and the arrows he shoots in Heaven are the embodiments of thunder and lightning. The Mongolian have understood lightning of dispelling an evil spirit and striking wicked things as the arrow of Huhdai Mergen. The god of thunder and lightning has the attributes of a fertility god such as eliminating bad devils and bringing affluence. Huhdai Mergen is also manifested as the creator to create the earth and the savior to save mankind. Such forms all derive from his archery skills.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
• /
• v.51
• /
• pp.73-101
• /
• 2018

This essay deals with The Homeric Hymn to Demeter, a aetiological myth about the Eleusis Mysteria. The narrative of the hymn shows how Demeter, the goddess of grain, became the deity of the Mysteria. In the hymn, Demeter is characterized as a mother: She is the mother of Persephone and the motherlike nurse of Demophone. As the mother of Persephone and Demophone, the roles of are nursing and mediating. She care her children and linked the earth and the world below, the heaven of gods and the earth of mortals. Demeter the deity of the Mysteria by a mother. The and the maternity of Demeter is connected with patriarchal politics. Demeter in the hymn is not so much the goddess who derived her character from The Great Mother as the goddess who had been characterized the influence of Greek-patriarchy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.43-52
• /
• 1996

[Goshogi] which is held from 9th to 16th January, every year is the Buddhist service of praying for the soul of Shinran's $(l173{\sim}1262)$ after death. It is the most majestic high-filling style and also unparalled in the annals of Japanese history in sacrificial offering. Shinran was horned in the Fujiwara's family. And not only he believed Prince Shodoku's belife but also retired to the mountain to enter the priesthood by it. Prince Shodoku built Horyu temple which is the typical temple of Nara ages. Buddism was transmitted from Korean peninsula, three countries of Silla, Bekje and Kokuryo effected on many field of Japnese culture during that ages. At the same time, Kasugadaisha and Danjanjinja of Shinto religion was built by Fujiwara Family. Both of them was Buddhist temple before. Throughout like these historical background, the facts what the religious services and the sacrificial offerings for Prince Shodoku, Wakamiyasai of Kasugas' and Kakitsusai of Danjanjinja must be influenced from Korean Peningula. So the dietary culture of the religious rites and traditional customs between two countries could be thought the relation with a narrow stream strait. But among them, in the size, color and shape, the cooking method and technique in the usage of rice powder and sugar, it is tops in value. The noteworthy points of the thought were as follows: 1. high-filling style of the sacrificial offerings what is mixed and harmonized with Buddhism, Confucious, Sharmanism, Toaism and Korean traditioal customs. 2. eating together of god and human. 3. the fusion of gods and Buddha.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2018

This study focuses on the correlation between Kotgal and paper-folding. This paper first examines the meaning and history of Korean ancient Kotgal and then investigates relationship between Kotgal and Korean paper-folding culture which has been inherited in various ways. Throughout the study, literature research and analysis have been conducted along with empirical studies. The results of the study are as follows. First, it has been told that Kotgal was used a as a trident hat symbolizing the sky, land, and man, whereas Korean paper-folding is known as closely related to the folk beliefs which had existed since ancient times. From ancient times, the Korean ancestors expressed the Three Gods representing beauties of the nature, 'sky(Chun), land(Ji) and man(In)' on the conical hat and prayed for their wish to the heaven. Second, Kotgal has been evolved in various ways from ancient times through Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty to present. The form of Kotgal has begun with folding and this is closely related to the origin of Korean paper-folding, which is the Korean traditional craft. Third, the paper-folding tradition of Korea has been variously applied in the Korean culture such as rituals, life crafts and plays and expresses the unconventional philosophical concepts unique of Korea. In conclusion, this study evidently shows that the Korean philosophical ideas behind Kotgal which originated from ancient paper-folding are scientific and systematic.

• Industry Promotion Research
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.163-174
• /
• 2023

Simgok Seowon was established to honor Jo Gwang-jo, who is a scholar and politician in the mid-Joseon period. It is located in a propitious site based on Feng Shui. Its Jusan is Mugokeumseongchae(武曲金星體) with Wonhwahyul(圓窩穴), and its Ansan is Tamrangmokseongchae(貪狼木星體). It is a Jehyang(祭享)-centered Seowon that sets a Jehyang place in Hyeolcheo. Around the Sadang(祠堂), the Four gods including Jwacheongryong(左靑龍) Woobackho(右白虎), Jujak(朱雀), and Hyeonmu(玄武) protect the Hyeolcheo(穴處) well. It is a typical central axis symmetrical spatial arrangement where everything is located centered on Sawoo(祠宇). It is a type of Jeonhakhumyo(前學後廟) that arranges the main hall at the front of buildings and places the Sadang that is a Jehyang place at the back of Sadang. To the left side of the Sadang, Yeonji(蓮池) was created by applying the principles of Cheonwonjibang(天圓地方), which serves as Yusik(遊息) area with functions to adjust microclimate and to extinguish fires. Feng Shui plays an important role when determining orientation, direction, and location of the buildings. Therefore, it could be regarded as realizing the aesthetic spirit of Cheoninhabil(天人合一) to compose the Feng Shui-oriented spatial arrangement by recognizing accurately the relationship between nature and human being depending on topography, wind, water flow, and point of the compass.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.40
• /
• pp.303-336
• /
• 2022

'Otherness' is a major philosophical concept in modern Western thought. It has been a force through which the concept of a subject's rights emerged. This paper focuses on Emmanuel Levinas' discussion of 'otherness.' Levinas emphasizes our ethical responsibility for others, which is meaningful in that it can be applied as a paradigm of communication for use in modern society. In the context of modern times and multicultural societies, it is important to recognize the diversity of others and to promote coexistence. Coexistence at this time should be 'unifying' rather than subject-centered. This paper attempts to understand this narrative. An epic is a cognitive process that constitutes the fundamental desires and experiences of humans. Humans try to project and understand themselves through narratives. The possibility of coexistence with others can be examined by analyzing otherness as found within those narratives. Therefore, this paper suggests the possibility and direction of coexistence by analyzing the storytelling that establishes relationships by shaping characters in Guillermo del Toro's film, Shape of Water.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.27
• /
• pp.1-34
• /
• 2016

This paper aims to understand how Daesoonjinrihoe perceives the Later World. Daesoonjinrihoe supports to establish an earthly paradise through the re-creation of the real world unlike other religions which tend to relegate ultimate fulfillment to the afterlife. In other words, Daesoonjinrihoe endeavors to achieve their objectives in the human world rather than outside of it in a potential act of escapism. The new religions in Korea have been characterized by ethnocentrism and doctrines which present Koreans as the new chosen people by emphasizing Korea's crucial role in world leadership. However, the doctrine of Daesoonjinrihoe differ with other new religions of Korea in this regard as its purpose is to redeem the whole world. Daesoonjinrihoe proposes an open embrace of the religious diversity found in Korean society. Daesoonjinrihoe argues that the Later World has not come yet, even though the Former World is over and progress towards the Later World has already been set in motion. The meaning of human nobility is akin to anthropocentricity. According to a variety of myths and legends, animals and supernatural often attempt to become human. Moreover, it would not be an overstatement to assert that the re-creation of the real world and the Daesoon concept of human nobility correspond with these myths and legends. There were not definite interpretations regarding heaven in Confucianism historically, yet Daesoonjinrihoe differentiates clearly that heaven and Sangje are cosmic structures. Buddhism perceives that heaven separately exists as a cosmic structure and that Buddha is a transcendental entity, however; that entity is not accessible for intercession. On the contrary, the ways to save the world have been adduced in Daesoonjinrihoe. In addition, the earthly paradise of the Later World has likewise been introduced. Specifically, it is Sangje that opens the door to that paradise. Unresolved issues in the formation of a world view still persist. There are no shortage of studies on the notion of gods or divine beings, however; most of these studies focus on genealogical classification, forms, functions and other such topics. The concept of god, ghost, or soul does not seem to have been clearly defined in these studies nor has the relationship among these entities and humanity been satisfactorily examined. For example, if human beings become either gods or divine beings, questions regarding divine beings who have acted as protectors or guardians of human beings then arises. The Daesoon cosmology should be specifically compared to cosmology in Daoism. By conducting additional studies such as a comparative research with Daoism, it will be possible to interpret mantras and Daoist art as they appear in Daesoonjinrihoe in a thought-provoking way which can in turn be compared with other religions.