大学共同利用機関法人 人間文化研究機構　国立民族学博物館

Statue of Dangun-wanggeom

• KR 0001
• Seoul, Republic of Korea

Korea, “The land of the morning calm,” had a nation-like integrity from ancient times. Its beginning is described in the myth of Dangun-wanggeom as follows: “God of heaven told his son, Hwanung, to go down to the lower world, and govern there. Hwangung, followed by 3,000 servants including the three gods of rain, wind, and cloud, went down and stood beneath the holy tree on the Taebaeksanmaek mountains. One day, a tiger and a bear came and wanted to be humans. Hwanung gave them felon herb and garlic, saying that if they could eat these and not see the sunlight for 100 days, they could become human. The tiger quit before 100 days were over, but the bear stood determinedly and became a beautiful girl. Hwanung married this bear girl, and they gave birth to Dangun-wanggeom. Dangun-wanggeom set up the capital in Pyongyang, established a country, and named it Korea. He later moved the capital to Asadal, governing the nation for 1,500 years. Then, as China appointed Gija as the king of Korea, Dangun entered the mountain of Asadal and became the mountain god.” This tale, a myth of Korea’s foundation, became the basis for Korean patriotism. Since the Dangun calendar adds 2,333 years to the Christian Era, Korea has a long history of well over 4,000 years.