SOUTH BANK TAEKWONDO: INFORMATION
INFORMATION: History - The Dangun Myth
The Dangun Myth: The beginning of Korean history is often dated to 2333 B.C. when Dangun, a legendary figure born of the son of Heaven and a woman from a bear-totem tribe, established the first kingdom named "Joseon", literally meaning the "Land of the Morning Calm.”
Once there was a divine prince named Hwanung, who was the son of Hwanin, the God of the Heavens. Hwanung wanted to help mankind and asked his father to grant him the Korean Peninsula to govern. Hwanin granted his wish and Hwanung was sent to earth with three thousand followers.
The Dangun Myth: The beginning of Korean history is often dated to 2333 B.C. when Dangun, a legendary figure born of the son of Heaven and a woman from a bear-
Once there was a divine prince named Hwanung, who was the son of Hwanin, the God of the Heavens. Hwanung wanted to help mankind and asked his father to grant him the Korean Peninsula to govern. Hwanin granted his wish and Hwanung was sent to earth with three thousand followers.
Hwanung appeared near a divine sandalwood tree on the slopes of Mt. Taebaeksan. He took the title of Cheon-Wang or Heavenly King and established Sinsi, the City of God. He appointed three ministers to be in charge of wind, rain and the clouds. He taught the people 360 useful arts including agriculture, medicine, carpentry, weaving and fishing.
He also taught them what was good and what was evil and set up a code of law.
In those days, there was a bear and a tiger living in a cave near the sandalwood tree where Hwanung became human. Everyday they went to the sacred sandalwood tree to pray to Hwanung to make them human. Eventually, the Heavenly King was moved by their prayers. He called them to him and gave them 20 bulbs of garlic and a divine spray of mugwort, saying eat these and do not seek the light of day for one hundred days. If you do this you will become human.
He also taught them what was good and what was evil and set up a code of law.
In those days, there was a bear and a tiger living in a cave near the sandalwood tree where Hwanung became human. Everyday they went to the sacred sandalwood tree to pray to Hwanung to make them human. Eventually, the Heavenly King was moved by their prayers. He called them to him and gave them 20 bulbs of garlic and a divine spray of mugwort, saying eat these and do not seek the light of day for one hundred days. If you do this you will become human.
The bear and the tiger ate the garlic and mugwort and went back to their cave. The tiger was too impatient to survive this ordeal and left after a short while. Meanwhile, the bear patiently waited and after only twenty one days became a beautiful woman. She became known as Ungnyeo. The woman was overjoyed, but she could find no one to marry her, so she visited the sandalwood tree again and prayed that she might be blessed with a child. Hwanung again took pity on her and temporarily transformed himself in a human. She conceived and gave birth to a son, who was named Dangun.
So, Dangun became the first human king of the Peninsula, establishing his capital at Pyongyang. He gave his kingdom the name Joseon, later, he moved his capital to Asadal on Mt. Taebaeksan and ruled for 1,500 years. After that, he abdicated and became a mountain god.
So, Dangun became the first human king of the Peninsula, establishing his capital at Pyongyang. He gave his kingdom the name Joseon, later, he moved his capital to Asadal on Mt. Taebaeksan and ruled for 1,500 years. After that, he abdicated and became a mountain god.
The Dangun Myth - 2333 B.C.
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