From Divine Descent to Human Hearts - The Mythical Origins of Korea Through the Tale of a Bear and a Tiger

In Korean mythology, there's a famous story about a bear and a tiger who wished to become human. This story is particularly significant as it relates to the origin of the Korean people and the founding of the ancient kingdom of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, traditionally dated back to 2333 BCE. The story is closely associated with the figure of Dangun Wanggeom, who is considered the founder of Korea.

According to the myth, Hwanung, the son of Hwanin (the "Lord of Heaven"), descended to Mount Taebaek on Earth. He wished to live among the valleys and mountains, bringing with him three heavenly seals and 3,000 followers. Hwanung established a city which he named Sinsi (City of God), bringing with him laws and moral codes, and taught humans various arts, medicine, and agriculture.

A bear and a tiger living in a cave nearby wished to become human. They prayed to Hwanung to transform them. Moved by their earnest desires, Hwanung gave them a bundle of mugwort and 20 cloves of garlic, instructing them to eat only this sacred food and remain out of the sunlight for 100 days. The tiger, unable to stand the hunger and the challenge, left the cave before the 100 days were over. The bear, however, persevered, and on the twenty-first day, she transformed into a woman.

The bear-woman, now known as Ungnyeo (bear woman), was grateful but soon became sad as she lacked a husband. She prayed beneath a sacred betula tree to be blessed with a child. Hwanung, again moved by her pleas, took Ungnyeo as his wife, and she gave birth to a son, who was named Dangun Wanggeom. Dangun went on to establish Gojoseon, near Pyongyang today, and thus began the history of the Korean people.

This myth is significant in Korean culture, symbolizing qualities such as perseverance, transformation, and the divine right of the nation's founding lineage. It is a foundational myth that not only explains the origins of the Korean people but also conveys moral lessons and cultural values intrinsic to Korean identity.