Yeti is a snowman which resembled a legendary anthropoid in Himalaya. Other places in Earth is discovering a similar creature. Big foot or Sasquatch in North America and orang pendek in Indonesia is some examples. Big foot is an unidentified creature discovered in the Rockies of the Unitied States and Canada. Besides, this creature is discovered in China,Australia,Russia,Africa and Scotland. The derivation of Yeti is Tibetan - gYa' dred Public depiction of Yeti is this : Height is mostly 2~3m, weight is more than 200kg, foot size is 30~43cm. Long fur covered whole body except stomach. They walk upright. Arms is long. Face seems like gorilla. A mountaineer, Reinhold Messner, thought that Yeti is a snow bear. Scholars of cryptozoological think that this creature is Gigantopithecus which is extinct 500,000 years ago. In addition, a scalp of Yeti exists in Buddhism Temple of Khumjung in Nepal but this scalp is confirmed as a goat.
Yeti has a very strong power, so tears many animals to tatters. From old times, Yeti is seen by many people. Occasionally, Yeti is called as Rakshasa of devil from India in the way that appearence of Yeti is an ugly appearence. Usually, footprints is discovered. Furthermore, Yeti has been taken in the photo but the authenticity is not proved. Human sent an expedition party to detect Yeti but can not detect. At 1980 year, a mountaineer tries to detect excretion of Yeti in Operation 'Yeti 88'. He followed Yeti's location but he can not find anyone. In Tibet,Nepal and Bhutan, some story have been passed down but positive verification is nothing.
In fact, today, some fur of Yeti is secured. Scientists examined these fur but turned out bear's DNA. Yeti is not an object of study because scientists refuses to acknowledge the existence.
But, still, many witness and footprint is discovering.
Unicorn is a creature that symbolizes power and purity in Europe. This creature has a long horn,mustache of goat and cloven hoofs. Unicorn is a legandry horse. Usually, Unicorn is potrayed as a white horse. But, according to Plinius of a naturalist of Rome, "Unicorn is a very violent animal, body looks like a horse, foot is an elephant, tail is a boar." According to the record of Ancient journeyer, Unicorn is a creature from India. Unicorn became known by a book of Aristotle.
Length of the horn of Unicorn is 45cm, the bottom of horn is white, center is black, end is red. All the forces of Unicorn come out from this horn. If Unicorn meet an enemy, Unicorn uses this horn to destroy shield and armor of enemy. In addition, the horn has a very strong detoxification ability. So medieval Europeans believed that if the horn is soaked in lake and sea, the lake and sea is cleaned.
According to medieval legend, Unicorn is so strong and agile that we can not catch Unicorn in the normal way. So, we have to use a pure young virgin to catch Unicorn. Because, Unicorn likes a pure young virgin. So, Unicorn falls asleep on knee of virgin. For this reason, you can see many pictures that Unicorn stick with a virgin.
The nature of Unicorn is fierce. But, Unicorn makes a commitment to his and her young. Unicorn
become also mild in front of virgin. Therefore, Unicorn symbolizes chastity and purity. Christianity thought that Unicorn shows symbolically lifetime of Jesus Christ. Single horn signifies that Jesus as the only-begotten Son of God. The horn as an antidote symbolizes the power of Jesus. The death of Unicorn reminds holy death of Jesus. Moreover, the purity of Unicorn is a symbol of the Virgin Mary.
This picture is oriental dragon. You can see dragon in the myth and legend of the East,West. In the East, dragon is regarded as a auspicious creature which has sacred power. But, in the Christianity, dragon is regarded as a evil and heathenism. Dragon is found in many civilization. Appearence of dragon vary depending on area and culture. However, appearence resembled mostly a giant snake or lizard. In the East, dragon is described a creature which has scaled body,four feet and sharp claws. Moreover, dragon has big eyes,long mustache and blow fire,poison by using nose,mouth. Color of body is green,yellow,red,white and black. Here is a oriental description of appearence. 'Head is camel, horn is deer, eyes are rabbit, ears are cow, body is snake, stomach is big clam, scale is carp, claws are falcon, fist is tiger. This creature has not wings but can fly.' But, in the West, dragon has wings like bat and torny tail.
The origin of 'dragon' is discovered in inscriptions on bones and tortoise carapaces. English 'dragon' and Latin 'draco' originate in Greek 'δρακων(drakon)'. Dragon has a many symbolical meaning depending on area. India - Guardian of Buddhism law. This creature has a power to rule weather. China - Dragon is an auspicious animal. Dragon generates cloud and rain. If droughts occurs ,people hold a ritual for rain towards dragon. Korea - Dragon is regarded as God of sea and water. Egypt, Europe - Dragon is regarded as a evil and assistor to help a warrior and agricultural goddess. In addition, dragon is regarded as an animal of power of emperor.So, in Korea, the face of King is 'Dragon face' - an accurate writing is the King's countenance. And sitting space is 'Dragon seat' - an accurate writing is the king's seat. In Sejong(A king of the Joseon Dynasty) era, the nation makes an epic to justify establishing the Joseon Dynasty. This epic is called as 'songs of flying dragons(龍飛御天歌)' Dragon has many feature,story and symbolic meanings depending on area. So, you can search about dragon with Internet,books.
'The King of birds is Phoenix, the King of flowers is peony, the King of beasts is tiger.'
Like this saying, Phoenix is regarded as a chief of all birds in the East. In addition, in Korea, this creature is of great importance for Korean's sense. 'Phoenix is the best of all birds, this creature come out from the counties of Eastern gentleman. If this creature appears on the land, the world will be peaceful.', says an old proverb. So, Phoenix became a symbol of an emperor. In the East, the palace door of an emperor is called as 'Phoenix palace' and 'Phoenix door'. The wagon of an emperor is called as 'Phoenix wagon', 'the Royal carriage'. A good friend is called as 'Phoenix companion'. A beatiful sound of pipe is called as 'Phoenix sound'. In this sense, we can know that Phoenix is cherish creature from the past in the East.
'The cry of Phoenix is like sound of tungso. This creature didn't eat living insect and only eat bamboo fruit. Don't fly in disorder. This creature will not sit down without Paulownia coreana.'
From old times, Phoenix is regarded as a four numinous animal with Dragon, Kirin and Black turtle.
Imaginary creature, Phoenix appeared on folk painting, accessory and a pillow end of royal family.
This creature appeared at the Later Han and was introduced in Korea with Buddhism.
China's book - 山海經 describes Phoenix like this : Phoenix is similar to chicken but Phoenix has five color feather, makes five marvelous sound and dance.
- 說文 descrebes Phoenix like this : The appearence of the front is wild goose, back is turtle, neck is a snake, tail is a fish, scales are dragon, chin is swallow.
Nowdays, you can see Phoenix in handle of the seal of state(Korea) and front gate of Cheongwadae(the Korean presidential residence).
Three-legged crow is a good sign. This creature live on the Sun to link between God and human world. So, this creature is called as sun god of some region in the East. Chinese orthography of Three-legged crow is 三足烏. In this word, 烏 means crow or black. For a long time, in Korea, Three-legged crow is a bird that symbolize Korean's dream for the sky. The ancients thought that sunspot resembled Three-legged black bird. So, they named as Three-legged crow. A thought of bright future, clear and pure spirit of life is involved in the creature. In old times, ancestor of Korea thought that crow is a messenger to convey the meaning of sky and symbol of the sun to conceive life. But this creature is also known as bad sign. So, situationally, crow is also called as underworld bird. In Confucianism, crow is a bird that signify disloyal subordinate, an evil group and an ill omen. In Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, you can see many grave goods of Three-legged crow pattern which symbolize the King. The reason for this is that Three-legged crow is thought as incarnation of sun god. In this context, sun means abundance and prosperity. In ancient tomb mural of Goguryeo, if you see Three-legged crow in detail, you can see a comb. This means water which is life in the beginning. Two wings mean the harmony,husband and wife,relative balance and warmth. Three foot mean time and space, strength and completion. The root of Three-legged crow's tale is the ancient Korean Penisula. In ancient tomb mural of Goguryeo, the four god - Blue Dragon, Phoenix , White Tiger, Black Turtle - is drew. In the middle of the mural of four god, Three-legged crow is drew. In this regard, Three-legged crow is a symbol of Goguryeo. Goguryeo used the pattern of Three-legged crow on the national flag to represent descendant of the Sun. This is the thought of heavenly descendant.
Kirin is a animal of God. Kirin is a King of all animal. This monster has a brilliant fur and long horn. The color divided into five as blue,red,white,black,yellow. Body is deer, Tail is cow, hoof and mane looks like a horse. From old times, Kirin composed a 'Four spiritualbeast' with Dragon,turtle,Chinese phoenix and was recognized as asacred animal. Children with excellentability was called as "Kirin child". Here is a saying about Kirin child. " Onceadevil, alwaysadevil. orOnceaknave, andeveraknave " In addition, as a symbol of longevity,Kirin heralds offspring thrive or death. Kirin's name means that Ki is male, rin is female.
Kirin's shape is three. First is the shape of a deer. Second is the shape of a horse. Third is the shape of a dragon. Over time, Kirin's shape changed into dragon.
In China, for a long time, Kirin was recognized as a God that is center in order of the universe. In Oriental Thoughts of the Five Elements, Kirin is located in center from all directions.
Furthermore, This monster was recognized as a guardian of afterlife and the godof virtue.
As same as Chinese phoenix, Kirin appeared with good sign. Especially, when a saint appears, Kirin appears to predict the indication. In GuangYa(a Book), "Kirin has a justice and benevolence, so the cry is sacred, the walk rights on the commandmeet. This monster do notstep on living insects and break any grass,flower. Moreover, does notfall into the trapandcaught inthenet. Among the 360 kindsoffurrybeast, Kirin is a leader." Like this, Kirin was recognized as a sacred animal that heralds the advent of reign of peace. In Confucianism, often Kirin was described as a Confucius and recognized as an existence with virtue,benevolence. Kirin appeared when Confucius's Mother is pregnant Confucius. Kirin is a very interesting and sacred monster. In fact, the origin of Kirin's name is that when Ming of China dynasty, Jung Hwa of the admiral offered a giraffe to King as a symbol of Kirin.
In East, The fox with nine tails is very famous and common. So, you can see The fox with nine tails
in some movie,drama,comic book,game and novel. Feature of The fox with nine tails differs from country to country. In Korea, The fox with nine tails appears frequently in a horribel story. But, this monster
doesn't attack unilaterally humans. Rather, The fox wiht nine tails wants to be human.
Here is a Korea story about The fox with nine tails.
"The fox with nine tails changes into a beautiful woman. she loves and marries with a men. If she can lives with the husband during one hundred years without disclosure for hers secret, she can be real human."
In fact, The fox with nine tails,usually,is a monster of high rank or a celestial monster.
In addition, The fox with nine tails is a monster to worship the knowledge.
This monster has some beads of fox. Size is like a gobstopper. Color is blue.
This bead stand for a force of The fox with nine tails.
In China, The fox with nine tails is regard as a ferocious,cunning woman. Japan's fox with nine tails is same. Here is a story. (Houshin-Engi : novel of Ming and 繪本三國妖婦傳 : fairy tale book of Japan)
B.C. 11century, in the ancient China dynasty Shang, There was a woman. Her name is Dalgi.
She was The fox with nine tails. She had fascinated the last King Zhou. Then she killed many innocent people and spoiled the affairs of state. She continued devil acts. So, King Wu of Zhou dynasy killed the Dalgi. The reason why Dalgi had acted like some devil acts was that Yeowa who is
goddess created the human promised that "If you complited my order, I can change you into Taoist hermit." However, Dalgi was not dead because of strange magic. So, Kang Yeo-Sang shows the mirror Jo Ma Kyung to Dalgi. Dalgi tried to escape but Yeo-Sang killed Dalgi.
Dalgi's body divided into three. Each body dispersed on India,China,Japan.
Kraken is a very famous Monster. This monster appear in many kind of book and movie.
For example, in Mobydick of Herman Melville, Giant squid fights with a sperm whale. And in Pirates of the Caribbean, Kraken attacks a ship with scary power.
Kraken was the subject of fear. In fact, octopus was called as devil fish in northern Europe.
Actually, northernEuropeans didn't eat the octopus or squid.
Kraken live in the northen ocean. Generally, Appearence of the Kraken is like a octopus or squid.
But an accurate appearence is not exist. In the legend of Judaism and Christianity, Kraken is two
monstrous fish which was born at the Creation and live as the end of the world.
Here is a information for Kraken.
"Size of Kraken's back is 2.5km, So we cannot see the whole Kraken's body. If you see this monster,
you can get a feeling that many small island are gathered and flotages,small fishes surround the around. Kraken give out strong smell to attract many fishes, then eat the fishes.
Kraken not only eat but also excrete during a few month. By the way, Kraken's excreta had smell to
attract the fishes too. Looks like as arms, several thing is thick as sail of Medium-sized shipping
and slippery. Kraken has a quiet nature. So, Kraken didn't attack people or ship vainly."
As well as, Here is a example of Kraken's character.
"A bishop discovers a Kraken which come up on the beach, but he think that the monster as a rock.
So, he said Mass on the rock. Kraken waited for the Mass politely. Then the end of Mass, Kraken disappeared to sea slowly."
Occasionally, this monster brings big fish. So Kraken was believed mild monster at sometimes.
But in the East, Kraken was not mentioned. And Asian do not scary the octopus or squid. Maybe, in my opinion, Kraken was not appeared in the East.
Bulgasari is a fabled monster in Korea and China etc.
bulgasari eat iron, defeat nightmare and smallpox.
According to a Korean language dictionary, 'body is bear, nose is elephant, eye is rhino ,fur is needle, tail is cow, leg is tiger.' But, Bulgasari's appearance was recorded as a various appearance.
So, Bulgasari's look vary in different localities. And now, remaining the Bulgasari's stories are more than 20. For this reason, Bulgasari's pictures varies as artists. But the pictures have something in common. In summary, body is like bear, head and nose is like elephant.
According to a book of the Joseon Dynasty era, "Unknown monster was there. so, I made an attempt to kill the monster, but the monster ate many iron. so, I could not kill. Therefore, the monster was called as 'Can't killing (不可殺 - Chinese pronunciation : Bul Ga Sal).' If throw this monster on fire,
the monster not dead and body is on fire from end to end. then invade private houses. so these houses are burned."
Here is more detailed story.
<<Bulgasri Story>>
In Goryeo (Korean Dynasty and the past than Joseon) era, there was Ki Jong-Lang of Buddhist monk. Accidentally, he received divination with 'You can take 100 sons.'from fortune-teller. After that, to take 100 sons, he forms a connection with women who came to pray at Buddhist temple. So, he gained 99 sons. Then, he tries to rape a wife of minister. But he was caught and put on the wanted list. So, he visited a younger sister's house to ask help. But the younger sister want to accuse brother to get for a reward. Husbandof thesisterwho knowsthis fact killed his wife because husband thought that his wife betrayed moral laws. then Husband helps with his wife's brother. In return, monk gives a monster which was made by rubbing rice paste. This monster looked like a small bug start eating small needles. then ate chopsticks,spoon,scissiors,hoe and etc. Eventually, this monter is getting bigger as more eating iron in Goryeo. Then, Goryeo tries to kill this monster but not died. So, this monster was called as 'Can't killing (不可殺 - Chinese pronunciation : Bul Ga Sal).' Goryeo used last means that burn the monster.
However, Bulgasari was not died. With body that had burned,this monster wander on Goryeo's territory. As a result, all territory ran into danger with fire. Goryeo's King has declared that a men who kill this monster can received goverment position and treasure. So, He attached a amulet which was given from monk(Wife's brother) at the Bulgasari's body. Then, Bulgasari vomitted all iron and vanished. As a result, He received not only a goverment position but also treasure and lived happily.
Bulgasari has a heroic feature. This monster has appeared at caotic time and neutralized hierarchy.
In addition, transimission aspects of Bulgasri show a greed of immoral human.
You can see Bulgasari's ectype if you visit Gyeonghoeru of KyungBok Palace. People believed that Bulgasari stone statue will protect fire. so people made this statue.
Dokkebi I'll introduce Korea Dokkebi in a folktale. Dokkebi is different from Normal Ghost. Dokkebi was not formed after a man died. I heard that this monster was born by object that people are used as a tool of daily life. In other words, Old broom,straw shoes,furniture and etc are turned into Dokkebi at night. Drizzling rain or drab day and at dusk, Dokkebi wander in the form of fire, then, many Dokkebi gather together and dance,sing a song. but this dance and song is terrible, so if you see this action, you must cover eyes and close ears. Dokkebi is playful. He was deceptive or mocking people. But If you become familiar with Dokkebi, you can receive treasure. Dokkebi's properties was dark, So He live in cave or old tree.
There are many different tale about Dokkebi. for example, Dokkebi has the strength of Hercules, so he put a cow on the roof of a house or carry dog dung on rice paddy and etc. Seeing this, Dokkebi is simple.
incidentally, Dokkebi like widow. so he visit widow and live together. and here is one folktale. <<widow story>> once upon a time, a widow lived. she make love with a certain men. the men gives money to widow. but gradually she lose much weight. someday, a neighbor grandmother inquire of the whole story. she told her story. grandmother say "It's Dokkebi! if the men visit you today, ask what him fear." That night, she ask what him fear, and he answered, "I'm afraid of horse head and horse blood , are you afraid of what?" "I'm afraid of money."
Next day, widow buy a horse and hang up horse head and sprinkle blood.
Dokkebi run away.
and irritated Dokkebi throw much money her house.
she said "Oh! terrible. I'm scared.
I'm scared.!"
After a few days, Dokkebi realized that he was deceived. so, he scattered gravel on her rice paddy. she said aloud, "this year, farming will good. if dog dung was scattered my rice paddy, my farming will not good." Dokkebi heard this and he scatter dung on her rice paddy. Widow's laugh is nonstop. Dokkebi realized that she deceived him again.
irritated Dokkebi shouted the whole village, "Hey people,Do not believe woman said!"
Dokkebi;s apperance varies from country to country. (china, japan and etc.)
Totoro - Dokkebi character of Japan
Dokkebi of Japan
Typical Korea Dokkebi's appearance is as follows: resemble human,
impression tougher,disheveled hair,
a heavy beard and hairy,
herculean strength,stupid
like grain wine,
like rice cake coated with mashed red-beans
like alcohol and meat.
like human.
"Korea Dokkebi is like a farmhand.
body is big, and hairy.
smell odor from body
Dokkebi is different from Ghost.
Ghost is evil shape, and scorn human.
but Dokkebi is not.
act like a human, connect human relationship.
Dokkebi has humane qualities."
According to circumstances, Dokkebi gives good fortune. but if you meet Dokkebi in Dokkebi's site, you should ssireum.
because,Dokkebi's ridicule capture you. thus, we cannot refusal. During ssireum with Dokkebi, we can't remember reality, so before we knows, the day passed. we are exhasuted, and fall in a faint. To win this ssireum with Dokkebi, we throw down real leg. because, one leg is fake leg. but, actually only a wise man can. playful Dokkebi has nature that want stay with people. So, Korea's Dokkebi in a folktale is not wicked Monster.
