Tan'gun

Tan'gun, also known as Tan'gun Wanggŏm, is the legendary founder and first king of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom. He is said to have started this kingdom around the northern part of the Korean Peninsula in 2333 BC. According to the story, Tan'gun was the "grandson of heaven" and the "son of a bear."

The earliest known telling of Tan'gun's story comes from a book called Samguk yusa, written in the 13th century. Koreans honor Tan'gun every year on October 3rd, a holiday called National Foundation Day. This holiday began with a group called Daejongism, which worships Tan'gun.

Many Korean historians think the names Tan'gun and Tengri might have the same meaning.

Myth and interpretations

In Korean mythology, the story of Tan'gun begins with his grandfather Hwanin, known as the "Lord of Heaven". Hwanin had a son named Hwanung who wished to live on earth among the mountains and valleys. Hwanin allowed Hwanung and 3,000 followers to come down to Paektu Mountain, where Hwanung created a place called Sinsi, meaning "City of God". There, he made laws, taught people useful skills, and helped them learn about medicine and farming.

A tiger and a bear asked Hwanung to let them become human. Hwanung gave them garlic and mugwort to eat and told them to stay out of sunlight for 100 days. The tiger gave up early, but the bear kept going and turned into a woman named Ungnyeo. She prayed for a child, and Hwanung agreed to marry her. They had a son named Tan'gun Wang'gŏm.

Tan'gun became the first king and founded the kingdom of Gojoseon. He built a walled city near Pyongyang and made the kingdom's name Joseon. The story of Tan'gun helped the people feel proud of their kingdom and their king.

Dates

Tan'gun is said to have started his rule in 2333 BCE, according to some old Korean records. Different sources give slightly different years, but they all place it during the time of a famous Chinese leader named Emperor Yao. In South Korea, there is a special holiday called "National Foundation Day" that marks these ancient beginnings.

Historical perception

Interest in Tan'gun grew during times when Korea faced tough times and fought for independence. People honored him as a national ancestor. Over time, Tan'gun became a symbol of Korean pride and independence, especially during periods when Korea was under foreign control. Scholars in South Korea studied Tan'gun to understand early Korean society, while in North Korea, the story of Tan'gun was used to support their ideas about Korea's ancient history.

Appearances

The story of Tan'gun is first written down in a book from the 13th century called the Samguk yusa. It uses information from an old Chinese book called the Book of Wei and a lost Korean book named Gogi. Other books, like the Jewang Un-gi and the Sejong Sillok, also tell similar stories. Today, people who follow Cheondoism and Daejongism honor Tan'gun as a god.

In taekwondo, Tan'gun is the second pattern, or shape, that students learn. It reminds them of the legendary first leader of Korea, who lived in the year 2333 BC.

Mausoleum of Tan'gun

Main article: Mausoleum of Tangun

North Korea's leader Kim Il Sung believed that Tan'gun was a real person, not just a story. Because of this, archaeologists in North Korea searched for Tan'gun's remains and grave.

A North Korean publication claims that the Mausoleum of Tan'gun is where Tan'gun is said to be buried.