The Korean Tiger

The first story, Dan-Gun, First Emperor of Korea, featured in Korean Folk-tales (Riordan, 1994, pp.1-3) describes the foundation myth of Korea. A bear and a tiger, who lived in a cave, were summoned by Hwan-Ung, The Heavenly Prince. He said to them:

"I have chosen you to become the first humans," he told them. "Here, take these twenty garlic bulbs and this mugwort plant; eat them and remain deep in your cave for a hundred days. When you emerge into daylight you will be man and woman."

Riordan (1994, p.2)

Korean Celestial Beings

Hwan-In 환인

Celstial Emperor "Lord of Heaven"
(The Emperor-God of Heaven and Earth)

Hwan-Ung 환웅

Celstial Prince "King of Heaven"
(Son of Hwan-In, Father of Dan-Gun)

Pung-Baeg 풍백, U-Sa 우사 and Un-Sa 운사

Lord Wind "Earl Wind", Lord Rain "Chancellor Rain" and Lord Cloud "Chancellor Cloud"
(The three ministers to Hwan-Ung)

Ung-Nyo 웅녀

Bear-Woman "Bear Mother"
(Mother of Dan-Gun)

Dan-Gun Wang-Geom 단군 왕검

The Sandalwood Emperor "High Priest King Sword"
(Son of Ung-Nyo and Hwan-Ung)

San-Shin 산신

Mountain God
(Associated with the death of Dan-Gun)

Yong-wang 용왕

Dragon King
(Dragon-God of the seas)

Seon-Nyo 선녀

Nymph / Fairy

Tokkaebi 도깨비

Devil / Imp

Dosa 도사

Wise Man / Spirit Guide