Korean phoenix meaning how to#
Korean phoenix meaning portable#

In China, from the third century BCE seven constellations began to be allocated to each of the four directions, in accordance with the theory of the five elements. The white tiger is one of the four guardian deities of the four directions. The Goguryeo people plastered the four walls of the tomb chamber and painted on them the blue dragon, white tiger, red phoenix, and black tortoise-snake on the east, west, south, and north walls, respectively, as the four guardian deities of the four directions. It was produced by Oba Tsunekichi (1878-1958), assistant professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. This painting is a replica of the white tiger mural in Jinpi-ri Tomb No.1, known to be a stone-chamber tomb with earthen mound dating back to the Goguryeo period(37B.C.E.-668 C.E.), located in Pyongyang, North Korea. The white tiger mural in Jinpa-ri Tomb No. In style, it is simple with the finer details omitted, exemplifying the transformation of Chinese imports into the Baekje style. This Baekje earthenware chamber pot takes the shape of a tiger with forelegs up straight when picked up with the right hand the opening faces upward and toward the person holding it, making it easier to use. This particular example, which was unearthed in Buyeo, the capital of ancient Baekje, reflects the culture that flourished in the royal capital.

Korean phoenix meaning portable#

It can be assumed that the portable urinal was created in the form of a baby tiger based on such tales and legends.

Legend has it that a immortal once made a tiger open its mouth and then urinated in it. According to Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital, a semi-fictional chronicle from the ancient Han dynasty of China, kings used a tiger-shaped chamber pot, hence their attendants had to carry one around with them. In the shape of a tiger, it was a portable urinal for males, presumably a type mostly used by the upper class in the southern part of China from the Warring States to Southern and Northern dynasties periods.

This chamber pot was excavated from the site of Naseong City Wall in Buyeo, capital of the ancient Baekje kingdom (18 B.C.E.–660 C.E.). This style reflects not only the Confucian values of virtue and benevolence, but also the cheerful and optimistic spirit of the Korean people. In every conceivable artistic genre, tigers have been widely portrayed in Korea as magnanimous symbols of superiority, as well as auspicious creatures that expel evil spirits.In Korean art, the ferocious roar of the tiger is never depicted instead, tigers are shown with a stern expression, or perhaps even a mirthful grin.

Tigers are often featured as guardian deitiesin funerary art and as the spirit of the mountain god in Buddhist and folk art. For example, a tiger plays a prominent role in the myth of Dangun, which depicts the birth of the Korean civilization. From ancient times through the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), Koreans have expressed their reverence for tigers in various ways.

Korean phoenix meaning how to#

The mountainous landscape of Korea was once home to a large tiger population, such that the country was popularly known as the “Land of Tigers.” Korea was also once called the “land of the exceptional people who know how to tame the tiger,” demonstrating the close relationship between tigers and the Korean people.