Korean dragon

Infobox Korean name

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hangul=용/룡 (미르)
hanja=龍
rr=yong/ryong (mireu)
mr=yong/ryong (mirŭ)

Korean dragons are legendary creatures in Korean mythology and folklore. Although generally comparable with Chinese dragons in appearance and symbolic significance, Korean dragons have unique culture-specific properties that differentiate them from dragons in other cultures.

Korean dragons

The Korean dragon is derived from Chinese dragon. Whereas most dragons in European mythology are generally related to the elements of fire and destruction, dragons in Korean mythology are mostly viewed as benevolent beings related to water and agriculture, often considered bringers of rain and clouds. Hence, many Korean dragons are said to have resided in rivers, lakes, oceans or even deep ponds within mountains.

Chinese Dragons have 5 toes, Korean dragons 4 toes and Japanese dragons 3 toes.

The symbol of the dragon has been used extensively, both in Korean mythology and ancient Korean art.

Ancient texts sometimes mention sentient "speaking" dragons, capable of understanding such complex emotions such as devotion, kindness, and gratitude. One particular Korean legend speaks of the great King Munmu, who on his deathbed wished to become a "Dragon of the East Sea in order to protect Korea."

The Korean dragon was said to have certain specific traits: no wings, for example, in addition to a long beard. It is in many ways very similar in appearance to dragons of Chinese and Japanese mythology.

Very occasionally a dragon may be depicted as carrying a "dragon orb" known as the Yuh-Yi-Joo (여의주) in one or more of its claws. Modeled after the mythical Cintamani jewel(or, a treasure orb), it was said that whoever could wield the Yuh-Yi-Joo was blessed with the abilities of omnipotence and creation at will, and that only four-toed dragons (those which had thumbs to hold the orbs) were both wise and powerful enough to wield these orbs (as opposed to the lesser, three-toed dragons).

As with Chinese dragons, the number nine is significant with Korean dragons and they are said to have 81 (9x9) scales on their backs which are of yang essence.

Korean myths say that to become a dragon, an Imoogi (see below) must survive for a thousand years. Then a pearl shall drop from the sky. If the snake catches it in its mouth it will become a dragon but if failed it must wait for another thousand years.

Imoogi

A close relative to the dragon is a native Korean mythological creature known as an Imugi. By one account, they are hornless creatures resembling dragons, who have been cursed and thus were unable to become dragons. By other accounts, an Imugi is a "proto-dragon" which must survive one thousand years in order to become a fully fledged dragon. In either case they are said to be large, benevolent, python-like creatures that live in water or caves. Their sighting is associated with good luck.

In the 21st-century Korean film titled D-War, two Imoogi, of which one was benevolent and the other evil, were seen competing for possession of a source of power by which one of them could become a dragon. Ultimately, the evil Imoogi is destroyed by his rival moments after the latter had captured the source. Here, the two are shown to be physically different, in that the evil Imoogi is darker-colored, more slender, and distinguished by an inflexible hood similar to that of a cobra, whereas the Good Imoogi is paler, stockier, and hoodless. Narration in the film implies that many Imoogi exist at a time, whereof one is designated to become a dragon.

The "Alosha" series by Christopher Pike features a variation of the Imoogi called a "koul". A koul is a snakelike, gigantic proto-dragon that must pass three tests of courage — the coming to aid of others, the act of swimming, and a literal 'leap' of faith — in order to become a dragon. Upon coming to the aid of others, the koul grows legs; after having swum in water, the koul is able to breathe fire; upon making the leap, the koul immediately sprouts wings. A successful koul resembles a European dragon, whereas a koul who has completed only one or two of its tests resembles a Chinese dragon or Korean dragon of the type described above.

Korean cockatrice

The Korean cockatrice is known as a "gye-ryong" (계룡/鷄龍), which literally means "chicken-dragon"; they do not appear as often as dragons. They are sometimes seen as chariot-pulling beasts for important legendary figures or for the parents of legendary heroes. One such legend involves the founding of the Kingdom of Silla, whose princess was said to have been born from a cockatrice egg.

Other Asian dragons

*Chinese dragon
*Druk
*Japanese dragon
*Naga or Nāga
*Vietnamese dragon

External links

* [http://www.koreasociety.org/content/view/15/38/ Lecture: The Meaning of Dragons in Korean Folklore from The Korea Society]