The Myth of Korea: Dangun (단군 신화)

October 3rd, 개천절 (Gaecheonjeol) is the national holiday celebrating the foundation of the first Korean country 고조선 (Gojoseon).

The legend of Dangun (단군), who was the founder of Gojoseon, begins by introducing his father Hwanung (환웅). Hwanung, the son of the lord of heaven, came down to the human world.

One day, a tiger and a bear came to Hwangung and told him that they wanted to become human beings.

Hwanung told them that they had to eat mugwort and garlic only and stay in a cave for 100 days without seeing sunlight.

The tiger couldn’t take it and ran away. However, the bear was very patient and became a woman.

Hwanung changed himself into a human form and married her.

Between them, Dangun was born.

Dangun later founded Gojoseon, the first kingdom in Korean history.

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