Transcript korean_culture_2

UNDERSTANDING
KOREAN CULTURE
Example 4:
Bujok (talisman; amulet) for good luck
and protection from evil spirits
For prosperity
For marital
harmony
For getting a job
For conception
For acing the exam
Talisman comes in two types:
1) one acts as a good luck charm; and
2) the other works to protect from evil
or bad luck.
It commonly has a yellow background
with red symbols or characters.
It is believed that evil spirits dislike the
colors of gold and yellow.
Red represents blood or fire, and
psychologically it means the color of life
and emotion.
 Of course, talisman is a universal phenomenon,
including those found in cultures of the
economically advanced nations.
 Examples are as follows:
An Omamori,
a Japanese amulet
A crucifix, considered in Christian
tradition as a defense against demons.
Four-leaf clover is believed to bring good luck to their finders,
especially if found accidentally. Approximately 1 in every 10,000
clovers has the four-leaflet form
LUCKY DICE, W-BONE & CLOVER CHARM
It is believed that a horseshoe hung on a
door with the two ends pointing up will bring
good luck
These modular bracelets, popular in Europe and N.A.,
consist of a chain onto which different beads or 'charms'
can be put.
Other variants of amulets in Korea:
남녀간의 영원한 사랑을 바라는 부적입니다.
For everlasting love
Example 5:
Tiger: Represents vigor, chivalry
Example 6:
Buddhist Swastika: Auspiciousness
The Buddhist symbol (卍) represents
an auspicious sign in Buddhism.
It is considered to have omnipotent
godly power, as well as the meaning
of the whole universe.
Seokgatap
Dabotap
Interior of a Buddhist Temple
Gagwonsa, known as the Temple of Bronze Sitting
Buddha, near Chenon-Asan
Three Buddha statues within Jogyesa Temple
Electric candles in Jogyesa Temple
Yeonjuam, one of the temples atop Gwanaksan.
Example 7:
The Cross
Out of these symbols, the most
important cultural symbols are those
of Buddhism and Christianity, which
are two largest religions in Korea.
According to 2005 census, Buddhism
is the largest religion with nearly 11
million adherents, followed by
Protestantism with 8.6 million
followers and Catholicism with 5.1
million adherents.
 Table 1.
Religious Population in South Korea (in
thousands; percentage of total population)
1995
10,321 (23.2)
8,760 (19.7)
2,951 (6.6)
211 (0.5)
87 (0.2)
268 (0.6)
2005
10,726 (22.8)
8,616 (18.3)
5,146 (10.9)
105 (0.2)
130 (0.3)
247 (0.5)
 No Rel. Affiliation 21,953 (49.3)
21,865 (46.9)
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Buddhist
Protestant
Catholic
Confucian
Won Buddhist
Other Religions
 Source: National Statistical Office (1997, 2006).