Dangun Wanggeom. 2015

DANGUN

2333 BC

The legendary founder of the Gojoseon state (Ancient Joseon), considered the first Korean public entity. In Korean mythology Dangun is the Grandson of Heaven

According to the legend, the Lord of Heaven Hwanin had a son Hwanung, who wanted to live on earth among the valleys and mountains. Hwanin allowed his son with 3,000 followers to descend to Baekdu Mountain, where he founded Sinsi, the City of God. Hwanung established laws and moral norms for people, taught them various crafts, medicine and land cultivation. Dangun inherited the throne of his father, built a new capital Asadal near contemporary Pyongyang and called his kingdom Joseon.

Dangun is a mythical character with traits of a totem ancestor and cultural hero of the Neolithic era. He embodies the harmony of spirit, man and animal.

The myth of Dangun has had a great influence on the culture of Korea. Many poets and artists have embodied the image of Dangun in their works. 6th century painter – Solgo allegedly painted Dangun after the spirit of the ancestor descended to him in a dream. Poet of the 13th century Kyu-bo Yi, seeing the picture of Solgo, wrote a poem about Dangun (not preserved). Yi Seung-hyu (13th century) reproduced the Dangun myth in verse in “Jewang ungi”.