A Very Short Checklist to Things to Look Out For, Naksan-sa Part 3

Here's a brief list of things to look out for when you're visiting Naksan-sa in Gangwon-do:

1. Translation is such a tricky business – couldn’t help raising my eyebrows when I first saw Wontongbojeon of Naksan-sa translated as “Hall of Complete Penetration”. Ahem. How about “Hall of Profound Insight”? or “Hall of Thorough Enlightenment”? Not quite the same, is it?

2. The Arched Gate was built the same year as the pagoda. Legend has it that 26 stones, each contributed by the magistrates of the 26 towns in the area made up the main building materials.

3. Naksan –sa is home to National Treasure No 499. It’s a 6.2 metre- high, 7-storey pagoda (Chilcheung Seoktap ) built in 1467. A Buddhist rosary and magic beads are reputed to be stored within this Goryeo- style pagoda with a distinctive single square base with 24 stone lotus petals. For comparisons with a Shilla style pagoda, click here.

4. According to another legend, a red lotus blossomed in the sea while Uisang, the founder of Naksan-sa conducted his week-long prayers. Eventually Hongryeon-am ( “Red Lotus Hermitage”) was built near the cave he used for his meditation- by- the -ocean sessions.

I was poking my head into the tiny hermitage for a quick look around when a kind ajumma, who had just finished her 108 prostrations, lifted up a 10 cm square from the wooden floor to show me the crashing waves beneath. Perhaps it was designed to show the cave where Uisang had meditated or maybe the present-day monks liked to chant to the rhythm of the waves.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naksansa#2005_fire_and_reconstruction

http://www.buddhapia.com/buddhapi/eng/temple/korexp/html/bu11.html
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=312871
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=309343
http://english.triptokorea.com/english/viewtopic.php?t=5925
http://eng.koreatemple.net/travel/view_temple.asp?temple_id=32
http://www.koreanbuddhism.net/jokb/press/view.asp?article_seq=5865&page=1&search_key=&search_value=
http://www.knto.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264186&nearBy=site&
http://www.kimsch.net/flash/dream-en.swf
http://www.land.go.kr/gTra.do?tra=enudestination&cid=3204
http://german.visitkorea.or.kr/ger/SI/SI_GE_3_1_1_2.jsp?cid=335521

The Ultimate Compassionate Lady, Naksan-sa Part 2

Let’s start with the vital statistics. He/ She is an immortal but this particular version is 33 years old this year. Weighing 700 tons, he/ she stands 15 meters (49 feet) tall on top of a 2.8- meter ( 9 –foot) pedestal on the grounds of Naksan-sa, facing the East Sea. He / She is made of white granite. His/ Her eyes and mouth are closed in an expression of perfect serenity.

She has many names: Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva (Gwaneumbosal),

Haesugwaneumsang (Bodhisattva of Mercy); she's a central figure in Mahayana Buddhism

Others elsewhere like him/her are shown with four, six or even a thousand hands with eyes in the palms to represent the all-seeing and compassionate nature. Here, though, the left hand bears a vessel with holy water while the right hand is shaped in a meditative mudra. Neither male nor female, Gwaneum-Bosal is, nevertheless, known as the Goddess of Mercy, a.k.a. Haesugwaneumsang ( 해수관음입상, Bodhisattva of Mercy).

Busan sculptor Gwon Jeong-hwan (권정환) takes the credit for this impressive sculpture.

The inspiration to build a temple at Naksan came at a difficult time in Korean history. The Shilla kings were desperately trying to ward off attacks by the Tang Dynasty emperors of China. Grand Master, Uisang Daesa, an emissary of the 30th king of the Shilla Period, had just completed his Buddhist studies in China and was meditating near a cave reputed to be the abode of Gwaneum-bosal. Legend has it that the Bodhisattva instructed him to erect a temple at the same spot. Since then, generations of devotees have been making their way to this temple dedicated to Gwaneum-Bosal to make their pleas for divine assistance known.

Gwanum-bosal can be found on a hillock in the background of this pic.

There are only two other places in Korea where one can pray to Gwanum-bosal: Bori-am in Namhae and Bomun-sa in Ganghwa-do. Busloads of pious ajummas in particular can be seen praying at these temples while Naksan-sa is also a popular spot to welcome the first sunrise of the New Year, whether one follows the Gregorian or Chinese lunar calendar.

The Goddess of Mercy in Bori-am, Namhae

Sourceshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naksansa#2005_fire_and_reconstruction
http://www.buddhapia.com/buddhapi/eng/temple/korexp/html/bu11.html
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=312871
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=309343
http://english.triptokorea.com/english/viewtopic.php?t=5925
http://eng.koreatemple.net/travel/view_temple.asp?temple_id=32
http://www.koreanbuddhism.net/jokb/press/view.asp?article_seq=5865&page=1&search_key=&search_value=http://www.knto.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264186&nearBy=site&http://www.kimsch.net/flash/dream-en.swf
http://www.land.go.kr/gTra.do?tra=enudestination&cid=3204
http://german.visitkorea.or.kr/ger/SI/SI_GE_3_1_1_2.jsp?cid=335521

Waiting for the Sunrise, Naksan-sa Part 1

I thought I did everything by the book – set my alarm clock and wake up early before dawn , find my way from my minbak near Naksan beach and up a hill to Naksan-sa ( temple). Then creep tentatively without benefit of torchlight in the autumnal dark to Uisangdae ( pavilion). Spend at least thirty minutes shivering in the cold and dark, waiting for the famous sunrise and guess what happens?

Nothing.

Above and  below: The sunrise pics which I wanted to take but couldn't

True, the sky lightens and the presence of some Korean tourists who appear a little while after I do, reassure me that I’m in the right place but alas, there are too many clouds obscuring the spectacular dawn which I was hoping to see.

So to console myself, I pay closer attention to the octogonal pavilion itself which is a 1925 reconstruction of a pavilion where the famous monk,Ui-sang used to meditate.

It was also the place that provided inspiration for the Joseon poet, Songgang Jeongcheol. Here’s my reworking of his verse:

After the pear blossoms have fallen,
Mid the cuckoo’s sad laments,
Beyond the hill east of Naksan at Uisangdae,
I rise in the darkness to wait for the dawn.
The brightening clouds are flowers blooming
And the sun’s a precious stone held up by six dragons.
It ascends in majesty from sea to sky and
The whole earth trembles as it rises swiftly,
Brighter than a thousand candles.

With or without the dawn, the Uisangdae's a pretty place with great views of the sea.

sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naksansa#2005_fire_and_reconstruction

http://www.buddhapia.com/buddhapi/eng/temple/korexp/html/bu11.html
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=312871
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=309343
http://english.triptokorea.com/english/viewtopic.php?t=5925
http://eng.koreatemple.net/travel/view_temple.asp?temple_id=32
http://www.koreanbuddhism.net/jokb/press/view.asp?article_seq=5865&page=1&search_key=&search_value=
http://www.knto.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264186&nearBy=site&
http://www.kimsch.net/flash/dream-en.swf
http://www.land.go.kr/gTra.do?tra=enudestination&cid=3204
http://german.visitkorea.or.kr/ger/SI/SI_GE_3_1_1_2.jsp?cid=335521

Happy Seollal!

Here's wishing everyone a Happy Seollal, Spring Festival, Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day!

source:
http://holidayyear.com/holidays/korean-new-year.html

Amusing Spoof of VD, Korean and Jap-style

Here's a quick primer on Valentine's Day, White Day and Black Day as celebrated in Korea and Japan from the perspective of Asian Americans. The Koreans and Japanese have the same practices when it comes to VD and WD but BD is the Koreans' own invention. ( I think it's just an excuse to indulge in jjajangmyeon!)

Thanks to aznlifestylestv for posting this on youtube.

What Tteok-guk Used To Mean

It may be everyday  comfort food for Koreans living abroad  but tteok-guk used to be a big deal when celebrating Seollal. ( It still is? ) Tteok-guk was served to celebrate everyone's collective birthday party. No blowing out of candles on a calorie-laden cream cake but downing of thin slices of rice-cakes swimming in bowls of hot steaming beef broth topped with green onions, egg slices and seaweed. Kids who fancied claiming equality with their older siblings were often conned into wolfing more bowls by teasing relatives.

It's easy to forget that rice wasn't always the staple food at the Korean dinner table. One can easily find packets of pre-sliced garaetteok in any supermarket in Korean these days but in the past, Koreans had to make do with barley, millet or noodles made from buckwheat, arrowroot or sweet potatoes for their daily starch or carbo fix. Bear in mind as well that rice was particularly hard to come by in winter.

Haven't found a website that shows how garaetteok is actually made from the rice flour  ( the rough recipe goes something like this: grind the rice into flour - steam it - roll it out into long sausage-like shapes) but I read somewhere that  it used to take  three days to make. While the shape of garaetteok signifies good health and long life, the white colour denotes purity and cleanliness. It's then cut up into shapes resembling coins to express the wish for prosperity and wealth in the year ahead.

Beef was another rare commodity ( these days, it's just expensive and fraught with political and nationalist overtones - does one buy local beef or imports from the US or Australia? ) so the beef stock for the dish was a really special treat for Koreans of the past. In even earlier times, the soup was made from the stock of pheasant meat or chicken.

Now it's time to 'fess up. I haven't eaten tteok-guk before so I'm going to scout around the Korean restaurants near my home this Seollal period  to see if I can sample the stuff. If that doesn't work out, well I'll just have to google for a recipe and get cracking in the kitchen. All this googling for pics has whetted my appetite and roused my curiosity!

sources:
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/01/153_38384.html
http://yunhee66.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/kalap-di-korean-mart/
http://joonsfamily.com/lofiversion/index.php/t8572-100.html
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tteokguk
http://oneforkonespoon.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/tteok-guk-comfort-food-for-kings/
http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=3621&sec=9

Oseam, Baekdamsa Part 4

On my long list of places I'd like to check out in Korea, Oseam may seem a choice as obscure as the actual location of this tiny hermitage in the north-west quarter of Soraksan.

It was built in 644 during Queen Seondeok's reign during the Shilla Dynasty. From what I can gather from the contours of the map, it's at least at least two hours' walk from Baekdamsa ( which is remote in itself, if you don't take the soft option of the shuttle bus).

So why would I want to visit this spot?

First of all, with Gwaneumbong as its backdrop, it promises to be a pretty spot with great views of Soraksan. Next, I'm curious to see how this place inspired Manhae as he spent quite a number of years as a monk who also composed poems here

Next, "Oseam" which means "five year old temple" got its name from a local legend. It tells of a five-year-old boy who, stranded in a remote temple, prays to be reunited with his mother. Some miracles of nature apparently happen and so the temple since then has kept the memory of this boy alive through its name.

Now the story is assured of a little more longevity, thanks to the animated movie by the same name directed by Sung Baek-yeop.

Though it wasn't such the box office as hoped because it was released about the same time as Spirited Away, it won the grand prize for the short films category at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

I stumbled upon the DVD at a shop in Incheon International Airport while waiting for my flight home and it was only then that I had heard of the place. Thought it would be a nice Christmas gift for a child but ended up watching it instead. It's a pretty, charming and modest film though I'm not too comfortable with its ending.
Still, it's a home-grown Korean anime which strives to achieve its own distinct voice.

For an interview with the director, click here.

sources:
http://guriguriblog.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/oseam-commentary-translated-in-englis/
http://koreanfilm.org/kfilm03.html#oseam
http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=513
http://www.anime-planet.com/reviews/a591.html
http://www.answers.com/topic/oseam
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=790281
http://movie.subtitlr.com/subtitle/show/175336
http://asiaenglish.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/HA/content/cms_view_316264.jsp

Who's a Buddhist Priest, Nationalist Fighter and Poet Rolled into One? Baekdamsa Part 3

Aside from former President Chun Doo-hwan who spent a few years in Baekdamsa,  Manhae, a.k.a. Han Yong-un ( 1879-1944)  is the other person with close associations with this remote temple in Gangwon-do. He was one of the 33 signatories for the historic document which contained Korean's declaration of independence from Japan.  He spent some time in Oseam, a hermitage under Baekdamsa where he was ordained as a monk and the temple now has exhibitions dedicated to his life and works. There's even a festival dedicated to him.

Yom Moo-ung on his poems: They "can be read by the young as love songs, by the religious as words of salvation and by mankind as watchwords that convey the ardent desire for national independence."

Koreans study and recite his poems in high school such as the two works which I've quoted in a previous posting so today I'm just including a snippet from his poem, " Envoi: To My Readers" as an introduction to his works ( rewording and line breaks are my own):

In time to come, reading my poems
may be like sitting among the flowers
of late spring
and rubbing a withered
chrysanthemum
and holding it under the nose
for its scent.

For more poems, click here.

sources:
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/08/203_26966.html
http://manhaeprize.org/manhaeprize/bbs/board.php?bo_table=literary_world&wr_id=1&page=&sca=&sfl=&stx=&sst=&sod=&spt=&page=
http://www.manhaeprize.org/ebook/myloveebook/lifewz.htm
http://www.korea.net/News/News/newsView.asp?serial_no=20071214012&part=108&SearchDay=
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=10,2059,0,0,1,0
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/culturenlife/culturenlife_istory101_detail.htm?No=36
http://homepages.wmich.edu/~b9park/HY.htm

Staying Next to the Presidential Suite in Baekdamsa, Part 2

Don't think there was any official templestay in Baekdamsa way back when I visited the place in this quieter spot in Seoraksan, Gangwondo in 2004 but I was lucky enough to be allowed to stay there. Found that my room was just next to the room once occupied by former President Chun Doo-hwan when he went into a self-imposed exile of less than three years in the late 1980s.

President who? He's the one who imposed martial law and gave the green light for the Gwangju massacre when at least 207 people were killed and 987 hurt while protesting against his unconstitutional disbanding of the National Assembly. He escaped a death sentence imposed in 1996 when President Kim Young-sam pardoned him.

Cynics would say the exile was more like a convenient retreat to escape the publicity and media while his supporters would applaud the move to this remote spot in Gangwon-do as a sincere act to repent for what he had done. Two years of eating vegetarian food, waking up before dawn to do 108 prostrations, chopping firewood and doing other menial chores alongside his wife - was that his escape route or a fitting punishment for a disgraced President?

source:
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=45,6738,0,0,1,0
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Chun_Doo-hwan
http://www.baekdamsa.org/contents/sub5_2.php?mode=view&page=1&uid=3082&secret=&key=subject&search=
http://www.answers.com/topic/chun-doo-hwan-1

Baekdamsa Revisited, Part 1

It's not a state secret but I'm still loathe to write about Baekdamsa. I'd like to keep this place selfishly  to myself but who am I kidding? The place that I visited in autumn, 2004 has probably changed a lot. Besides, who was it who said you can't step into the same river twice?

Baekdamsa, Temple of a Hundred Pools, lies in a quiet north-western corner of Soraksan. "Quiet" is a relative term - it's spared the massive crowds that descend on the main section of this popular national park but at the same time, don't be surprised to see a long line of people along this bridge that leads to the temple. Busloads of ajummas and local tourists can make this place quite noisy at times but if you head out for the trails, it's easy to think that you may be the only visitor.

Then again, the piles upon piles of stones built by past visitors remind me that I'm just one of countless visitors who have been fortunate enough to make our way to this place.

Here's another pic to put one in a solitary mood - can only imagine the beauty of the wintry solitude in Baekdamsa. Whichever season you choose, do check the shuttle bus schedules that takes passengers from the village of Yongdae-ri to Baekdamsa ( 3.5 km, 2,000 won). I arrived by a local bus from Sokcho and just missed the last shuttle bus in the late afternoon so had to spend one night in Yongdae-ri as I wasn't prepared to lug my backpack for that distance. On hindsight though, I should have not spent the night in Yongdae-ri. Not that it was hard to find a decent yeongwan but the walk would've given me more time to count the pools along the way.

Here's an alternative route: At Inje Terminal, take a bus to Wontong or Jinburyeong and get off at Yongdae-ri. (40 minute interval, Runs 20 times a day)

sources:
http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264231
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baekdamsa
http://www.koreanculture.org/06about_korea/symbols/09seoraksan.htm

One More For The Road.....from Drunken Tiger

I've been going ga-ga over tigers in this blog lately in the run-up to Seollal and to usher in the Year of the White Tiger. But here's my last posting on tigers ( I think but can't promise!)

Just heard on KBS World Radio that Drunken Tiger just recently won the Best Album and Hip Hop Award at the 19th Hi - One Seoul Music Awards on Wednesday this week. Drunken Tiger was the Korean-American hip-hop group that eventually became a one-man show

The first song that I liked was Liquor Shots way back in 2006. Am still clueless about what they're singing and I can't explain why I like it. Let's just say it's quite infectious.




DRUNKEN TIGER 7TH ALBUM MV
8:45 Heaven was written when DK Tiger's grandmother passed away.


Lyrics for 8:45 Heaven. Thanks to Scottahn for posting the video and the English translation on youtube.

I should've done better when you were here
I should've told you when you could hear
that morning which had no difference
I already felt by the ring which woke me up
it's too late to put back the time
One last cry. oh please god try
please don't let her die on me I know it's a lie
I told you to wait for me to make you happy
you told me that you'll wait till I rise to the top
please endure it bit more, don't leave this world
God please pretend as you've never saw it just for once
it must be a mistake, god is not also perfect
he's trying to take the most precious thing in the world


[CHORUS]
8:45 you're going up to heaven, the peaceful world where only virtue exists
8:45 you're going up to heaven, if you can hear me..know that I love you
8:45 you're going up to heaven, the peaceful world where only virtue exists
8:45 you're going up to heaven, if you can hear me..know that I love you


[VERSE 2]
Holding your speachless hand..I just yell out that you might hear if do so..
please wake up, open your eyes
One last cry Let me say good bye
please don't let her die on I know it's a lie
even the world hates me I'm your best
no matter what people say you never blamed me the question less love..
that's the thing like God which makes miracle, the perfect, perfect beauty after God
The most beautiful  thing in the world
the most precious thing in the universe my love

[VERSE 3]
where did you go without your last goodbyes
My heart is filled with pain
Tho I drive 'em out with a deep sigh
Only pain remains
I see nothing in this empty world
But I try to smile
You might be sad if you see me so sad
I promise you I'd never ever forget you
I'mma let go of your hand

sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY2R-gr0opE&feature=related
http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/entertainment/enter_artists_detail.htm?No=10194
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drunken_Tiger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1jP4xS_mTY

Ipchun

Thursday is Ipchun or the official beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar used by the Chinese and Koreans.``Ipchun'' is one of the 24 seasonal divisions that mark the start of spring. It is characterised by mild easterly winds chasing away the winter frost, bugs awakening from their long winter sleep  and fish shrugging off their sluggish habits to swim more actively beneath the icy layers of lakes and ponds.

Apricot blossoms are another sign that warmer spring days are around the corner.

Some ladies admiring pussy willows in Busan

A foreigner maintains a Korean tradition. Koreans used to stick papers called ``ipchuncheob'' on the ceiling or above entry ways to welcome the new season. The papers would carry hopes for the new year such as  "Ipchun daegil" meaning "Great Fortune in Spring" or "Spring Leads to Paths of Greatness" OR ``Geongangdagyeong '' which stands for "Happiness and Fortune Arriving With Spring".

Cute kindy kids in hanbok, posting couplets written in hanja at the gates of the Namsangol Hanok Village in downtown Seoul. The greetings read, ‘Welcome Spring With All Blessings,’ and ‘Spring With All Fortune.’

from Korea Times,  Photo by Shim Hyun-chul

 Ipchun is also the time when halmeonis and ajummas get together to make doenjang ( fermented soypaste).

Can you feel the east wind blowing and hear the ice melting now?

Sources:

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/02/05/2010020500249.html
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/02/04/2010020400309.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/02/115_38787.html
http://www.korea.net/news/news/newsView.asp?serial_no=20090130013&part=106&SearchDay=
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2009/02/115_38907.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/12/153_39068.html

When Interpreter's Blooper Translates Into Gift Of Siberian Tigers

Sometimes it pays to be linguistically-challenged.

Here's the story extracted from the English news of the Chosun Ilbo:

While visiting Korea in June, a Russian delegation .... went to the National Institute of Biological Resources... to see a display of mounted animals, including a Siberian tiger. During the tour, a Korean official said, "Korea is very interested in Siberian tigers." But the interpreter mistranslated the comment, and asked about Russia's willingness to donate the animals.

In response, Kirillov asked if Korea could raise donated tigers in the wild.The government didn't give much thought to the remarks at the time, but it seems Kirillov proposed the donation while briefing Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on his visit to Korea....A ministry official said Russia agreed to donate the tigers to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

So Koreans can look forward to seeing more creatures like this:

source:
englishnews@chosun.com / Nov. 10, 2009 08:52 KST
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Siberian_Tiger.jpg

Five Smoking Tigers

Came across this quaint expression. It's the Korean version of "Long, long ago":
호랑이 담배 피던 시절 (Horang-i dambae pidun sijul.)

Translated, it means: A time when tigers smoked cigarettes. According to Cho Ah-mi, this proverb refers to a time gone by. It is used to express that is very outdated.

This led me to google for images featuring smoking tigers and whaddaya know - I found four!

Smoking Tiger No.1 - I love the stripes in the tiger here. This "Smoking Tiger” is by Suh Gong-im and it was completed in 1997. Look for the original in  Lotte Gallery.

 Smoking Tiger No. 2 - This fella looks a little ridiculous on account of that silly top hat. This tiger looks too preoccupied to have any chat with the magpies.

"Jakhodo" is a genre of folk painting which features a tiger and one or two magpies. It was a custom for Koreans to hang such pictures on the walls of their homes at the beginning of the year. "The two animals were depicted together because it was believed tigers fend off evil while magpies invite good luck" and the pine trees in the background represent longevity.

Smoking Tiger No. 3 - Now is that a long pipe or an extra long toothpick? The rabbits in this pic as well as in Pic No 1 may be inspired by an old folks' tale about how three rabbits outwitted one hungry tiger by persuading him to spend his time smoking and fishing for food with his tail in a stream. The silly creature got trapped when his tail froze in the stream and so the rabbits enjoyed a season of roaming on the range free from worrying about being the tiger's next meal.

Smoking Tiger No 4 - Here's another one portrayed alongside rabbits AND magpies AND pine trees.

Finally, here's Smoking ( or rather Soon- to -Stop-Smoking ) Tiger No. 5! See previous posting.

 Here are three other proverbs provided by Cho Ah-mi:

호랑이도 제 말 하면 온다. (Horang-ido jemal hamyun onda.)
If you talk about the tiger, the tiger will appear.
Meaning: "Speak of the devil." This proverb is used to express an unexpected coincidence.


호랑이 굴에 가야 호랑이를 잡는다. (Horang-i gool-e kaja horang-ilul japneunda.)
If you want to  catch a tiger, you have to go to the tiger’s cave.
Meaning: If you want achieve a goal, you have to go to the source, work hard and overcome difficulties.


 호랑이에게 물려가도 정신만 차리면 산다. (Horang-ieke japhyudo jungsinman charimyun sanda.)
Even if you are caught by a tiger, you will survive if you keep your cool.
Meaning: Even when  facing the most dangerous situation or difficulty, a person can survive if he keeps his composure and does not lose his cool.
This proverb teaches people to be courageous and not to despair even in the most desperate situations.

 I still like the first proverb the most!

Source:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2914997
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29837411@N00/42282614/
http://ieas.berkeley.edu/cks/k12/lesplan1_pro.doc 
 http://onceuponatiger.blogspot.com/2009/09/story-number-one.html

In The Mood For Tigers

Have been exploring cyberspace for Korean tigers in the art world. Here's what I've found so far:

This hanging scroll painting is the work of Kim Hongdo ( see earlier posting on Painter of the Wind)  and Im Huiji. Entitled "Tiger and Bamboo", it can be seen in Dokwon Art Museum. Seoul. Question is: Did Kim Hong-do paint the tiger or the bamboo? I'd like to think he can take credit for the former. If so, it's truly amazing how he can master so many different styles of painting. See his portraits of ordinary Koreans - his family on the road and his depiction of a Confucian scholar with his students.

"Korean Tiger" was the official catalogue published  in 1984 in the run-up to the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.

The folk painting, "Magpie and Tiger" from the Joseon Dynasty has even  been reproduced for mouse-pads. Koreans used to believe that a  magpie indicated good news and luck while the tiger was used to ward off evil or bad luck.  The "combination of the bird and tiger hung inside a house reflected the people's wishes that the folk painting would bring them good luck and repel evil spirits". And there I was, the philistine, thinking, "How cute - the carnivorous king of the jungle having a cosy chat with a birdie!"

"The Korean Tiger - Exploration of the Underlying Culture of Korea 1"  is edited by Kim Ho-geun & Yoon Yul-soo (ISBN 89-301-0701-X)  "This book includes all aspects of real and imaginary tigers including extraordinary tiger paintings, beliefs and customs related to tigers, the ecology of tigers, Korean medical therapy and tigers, the literature on tigers, and proverbs related to tigers." The first publication was  in 1986, while another  appeared in the "Year of the Tiger” in 1998.

update ( 11 Feb 2010), click here for more on 2010 as the year of the White Tiger.

Sources:

http://www.inform.umd.edu/Caprina/Images/Sandler/004.gif
http://www.inform.umd.edu/Caprina/classes/ARTH489.htm
http://www.san-shin.org/order4.html
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90782/6851592.html
http://www.zazzle.com/magpie_and_tiger_korean_folk_art_mousepad-144917239644885310

Any New Year Resolutions for the Year of the Tiger?

For those who missed making new year resolutions on the 1st of January, 2010, here's another chance for you to stiffen your resolve and find the determination to kick some bad habits. That seems to be the message from one pharmaceutical company that's doing its best to inspire Koreans to kick their nicotine addiction by using the character of the Tiger in line with the upcoming Seollal celebrations.

I refused to make any resolutions as 2009 gave way to 2010 but some things just have to get done. The annual spring-cleaning of the house, for instance so please excuse the brief postings for this period.

source: http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_photo_detail.htm?No=14329